Vietnam's tea exports in the first nine months of 2023 totaled 82 thousand tonnes worth 140.8 million USD.

DNHN - According to data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's tea exports in the first nine months of 2023 totaled 82 thousand tonnes worth 140.8 million USD, a decrease of 14.2% in volume and 15.9% in value compared to the same period in 2022.

The average export price of tea reached 1,717.3 USD per metric tonne, a 2% decrease from the same period in 2022. Specifically in September 2023, tea exports reached 11,100 tonnes with a value of $18.9 million, a decrease of 16.2% in volume and 11% in value from September 2022. In September 2023, the average export price of tea reached 1,711,1 USD per tonne, a 6.2% increase from September 2022.

During the first nine months of 2023, tea exports to all major markets decreased substantially. Pakistan, the primary export market for the tea industry, continues to struggle with inflation and high-interest rates, as well as a lack of foreign currency, which causes importers to reduce their tea purchases. Therefore, exports of tea to the Pakistani market continue to decline.

In the first nine months of 2023, the volume and value of tea exported to this market decreased by 12.3% and 10%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2022. Next, exports to Taiwan (China) reached 10.7 thousand tonnes with a value of USD 17.9 million, down 8.3% in volume and 10.2% in value; exports to Russia reached 5 thousand tonnes with a value of USD 8.4 million, down 32.6% in volume and 35.2% in value...

Iraq and Saudi Arabia are two major export markets in the first nine months of 2023 with double-digit export growth. Consequently, the Iraqi market grew by 48.8% in volume and 32.9% in value compared to the same period last year, while the Saudi Arabian market grew by 12.2% in volume but decreased by 3.3% in value.

According to industry experts, the outlook for tea exports in the final months of 2023 is bleak, as tea consumption demand in countries is constrained by inflationary pressure. In addition, tea businesses face challenges as regulations on technical barriers become more stringent, preventing Vietnamese tea businesses from meeting and capitalizing on opportunities presented by FTAs that Vietnam has signed.

Ngoc Phi (TH)