Latest statistics show that by the end of September 2024, Vietnam’s tea exports reached 108,000 tons, generating export revenue of USD 189 million, successfully elevating the country to become the world’s fifth-largest tea exporter. Compared to the same period in 2023, export volume increased by 31.9% and export value by 34.2%. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering that in late July, Vietnam was only the eighth-largest tea exporter globally, with export volume around 78,000 tons and revenue of USD 135 million.

These latest figures were announced at the High-Quality Tea Production and Consumption Promotion Conference held in Phu Tho Province. The conference was jointly organized by the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam Horticultural Association, and the Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute to promote high-quality development of Vietnam’s tea industry.

Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production, Nguyen Quoc Manh, noted that despite recent decreases in tea cultivation area, total tea production has increased due to significant improvements in production efficiency. He specifically analyzed Vietnam’s tea consumption in domestic and international markets in 2022: domestic market consumption was 48,000 tons, creating value of approximately USD 325 million; while export volume reached 146,000 tons but generated only USD 237 million in revenue. This data comparison highlights a noteworthy phenomenon: although domestic consumption was only one-third of export volume, it created greater economic value than export revenue. Therefore, increasing the added value of tea exports remains an important challenge for Vietnam’s tea industry.

According to the Department of Quality Processing and Market Development, Vietnamese tea products have successfully entered markets in over 100 countries and regions. Major export markets include Pakistan, Taiwan region, Russia, mainland China, the United States, and the EU. After years of development, Vietnam has developed the capability to produce and process about 15 different types of tea, with black tea and green tea as main products.

Key Points:

• Vietnam’s tea exports achieved significant growth, rising from eighth to fifth place globally.
• Export volume increased 31.9% and value increased 34.2% in first nine months of year.
• Domestic tea consumption creates higher value despite lower volume, highlighting importance of increasing export product added value.
• Vietnamese tea has successfully entered over 100 countries and regions.
• Product structure primarily consists of black and green tea, with 15 varieties.
• Despite reduced cultivation area, production increased through improved efficiency.

These achievements demonstrate Vietnam’s tea industry’s growing competitiveness in international markets while also reflecting significant room for development in increasing product added value.