7 months, tea export growth double digits

The Import-Export Department ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) said that it is estimated that tea exports in July 2024 will reach 16 thousand tons, worth 29 million USD, up 14.5% in volume and 6.8% in value compared to June 2024; up 52.8% in volume and 56.2% in value compared to July 2023. The average export price of tea in July 2024 is estimated at 1,796.3 USD/ton, down 6.7% compared to June 2024, but up 2.2% compared to July 2023.

Vietnam is the 8th largest tea export market in the world , but the proportion of tea imported from major global markets from Vietnam is still very low.

In the first 7 months of 2024, tea exports are estimated to reach 78 thousand tons, worth 135 million USD, up 32.7% in volume and 34.8% in value over the same period in 2023. The average export price of tea is 1,727.7 USD/ton, up 1.6% over the same period in 2023.

According to statistics from the General Department of Customs, in the second quarter of 2024, Vietnam's tea exports reached 35.4 thousand tons, worth 62.7 million USD, up 31.1% in volume and 35.5% in value over the same period in 2023. The average tea export price in the second quarter of 2024 reached 1,772.4 thousand USD/ton, up 3.2% over the second quarter of 2023.

In the first 6 months of 2024, tea exports reached 62 thousand tons, worth 106 million USD, up 28.3% in volume and 30% in value over the same period in 2023. The average export price of tea reached 1,710.0 USD/ton, up 1.3% over the same period in 2023.

In the second quarter of 2024, tea exports are expected to increase sharply as demand in many markets shows signs of recovery. In particular, green tea exports dominate with 61.6% of total export value; followed by black tea, oolong tea and flower-scented tea.

Specifically, green tea exports in the second quarter of 2024 reached 19.9 thousand tons, worth 38.6 million USD, up 64.4% in volume and 61.8% in value compared to the second quarter of 2023. Green tea was mainly exported to Asia, accounting for 97.8% in volume and 97.7% in value in the second quarter of 2023. Only a small amount of green tea was exported to the Americas, Europe and Oceania. In the first 6 months of 2024, green tea exports reached 32.4 thousand tons, worth 62.1 million USD, up 56.3% in volume and 54% in value compared to the same period in 2023.

Next is the black tea export category in the second quarter of 2024, reaching 13.7 thousand tons, worth 17.3 million USD, up 18.4% in volume and 10.8% in value over the same period in 2023. Black tea is mainly exported to Asia, accounting for 71.3% in volume and 68.3% in value compared to the second quarter of 2023; followed by exports to Europe, accounting for 14.5% in volume and 17.2% in value; Americas, accounting for 13.4% in volume and 13.7% in value; the remaining small proportion is to Oceania and Africa. In the first 6 months of 2024, black tea exports reached 26 thousand tons, worth 33.4 million USD, up 17.8% in volume and 11.5% in value over the same period in 2023.

Vietnam - the world's 8th largest tea export market

The EU is the largest tea importing market in the world. According to statistics from the European Statistical Office, in the first 4 months of 2024, tea imports of the EU market reached 401 million USD, an increase of 2.9% over the same period in 2023, the value of tea imports of the EU from Vietnam accounted for only 0.19% of the total import value.

Thus, the market space is still very large and there are many opportunities to expand the market share for the Vietnamese tea industry. However, the EU is increasingly setting more regulations on green and clean economy , requiring exporting enterprises to update information to meet the right consumer demand in this market.

5 main tea import markets in the world and the proportion of tea imports from Vietnam

Source: Eurostat, Pakistan Tea Association, US International Trade Commission, ITC; Hong Kong Statistics Authority (China)

Pakistan is the second largest tea importer in the world. According to statistics from the Pakistan Tea Association, tea imports into the country reached $272 million in the first half of 2024, up 11% from the same period in 2023. The increase in tea imports shows the popularity of this beverage among consumers in Pakistan, despite economic pressures. Tea remains a staple in Pakistani households and is a beverage deeply rooted in the country's culture and society.

However, the proportion of Pakistan's tea imports from Vietnam is still low and is on a downward trend. Due to many barriers, especially the lack of market information, Vietnamese tea enterprises find it difficult to approach and place large orders with Pakistani enterprises.

Notably, among the world's leading tea importing markets, the US market's tea imports recorded a high growth rate in the first 5 months of 2024. According to statistics from the US International Trade Commission, in the first 5 months of 2024, US tea imports reached 222 million USD, an increase of 18.1% over the same period in 2023.

In particular, the United States increased tea imports from the Vietnamese market. However, Vietnam's tea market share in the United States remains low and there are still many opportunities to expand market share in this market.

The income of the American people is increasing, the consumption is gradually increasing, which will promote the purchasing activities of importers to increase strongly again. Although the United States is a large tea import market, it is also a demanding market, with high standards of quality and food hygiene and safety. To boost exports and better exploit large, potential markets like the United States, tea production and export enterprises need to invest in processing, especially paying close attention to food hygiene and safety issues.

According to statistics from the International Trade Center (ITC), in the first 4 months of 2024, tea imports from the UK reached 114 million USD, an increase of 13.5% over the same period in 2023. In the UK, tea is the main drink, with a significant portion of consumers at all income levels drinking tea every day. Therefore, the UK is also a very potential market for Vietnamese tea to expand, as the proportion only accounts for 0.2% of the total value of tea imports from the UK in the first 4 months of 2024.

Ranked 5th among the world's major tea importing markets is the Hong Kong market (China), but the demand for tea imports from this market is showing a sharp downward trend. According to statistics from the Hong Kong Statistics Department (China), tea imports from this market in the first 6 months of 2024 reached 56 million USD, down 33.2% compared to the same period in 2023.

Due to a sharp decrease in market demand, the proportion of tea imports into the Hong Kong (China) market from Vietnam also decreased significantly in the first 6 months of 2024, accounting for only 0.01% of the total import value, from 0.15% in the same period in 2023.

The demand for tea imports in major markets around the world is showing signs of recovery, which is a positive signal for the Vietnamese tea industry to have the opportunity to boost tea exports in the coming time.

Although it is the 8th largest tea export market in terms of value in the world market (according to statistics from the International Trade Center - ITC), the proportion of tea imported from major global markets from Vietnam is still very low. Therefore, the opportunity to expand the tea market share is very promising.

However, to expand the tea market share in the world market, the Vietnamese tea industry needs to focus on improving product quality, diversifying products; promoting the production of high-quality tea, organic tea, safe tea, focusing on modern processing and packaging processes, meeting international standards.

Along with that, it is necessary to promote Vietnamese tea brands to the international market, participate in prestigious tea fairs and exhibitions to introduce products and connect with potential partners.