The country exported 67,000 tonnes of tea in the first seven months of this year, earning 83 million USD, the Vietnam Tea Association said.

The figures represent a year-on-year increase of 15.1 percent in volume and 4.8 percent in value.

In July alone, Vietnam earned 19 million USD from exporting 15,000 tonnes of tea.

Nguyen Kim Phong, chairman of the association, attributed the improved sales to a change in consumer tastes and a better quality product.

The industry also reduced prices, lowering the average price of tea in the first seven months of this year was 1,248 USD per tonne or 3.94 percent lower than in the same period last year.

But event at the reduced price, farmers still reaped a net profit of 100-200 USD per tonne from exports because of improvements in production, which cut costs, Phong said.
Vietnam ’s key export markets this year were Pakistan , Russia , mainland China , Taiwan and Afghanistan .

The country planned to export 117,000 tonnes of tea this year, worth 167 million USD, according to Phong.

The export value of tea this year was expected to increase by 13.6 percent year-on-year, he said, adding that this is one of the few sectors to show a rise in exports.
However, Phong said the tea industry was still affected by the global economic downturn that had affected customers’ finances.

To reach this year’s target, the industry would boost research into high-grade tea, Phong said.

Vietnam exports tea products to 110 countries and territories under the CheViet trademark, which is protected in 70 countries and territories. Vietnam is the fifth largest tea producer and exporter in the world./.