22 May, 2008 – China's exports of tea fell 1.7% in volume but generated almost 15% more revenue to US$150 million in the first three months of this year, the Government announced.
Chinese exports fell marginally to 70,000 tonnes between January and March but export values rose to US$150 million, with the average price at US$2,192/t, increases of 14.7% and 16.7% respectively.
The General Administration of Customs said the amount shipped out of the country slipped due in part to more difficult market access in Europe and Japan.
The US ousted Japan to become Chinas third largest tea export market. Some 5,572 tonnes were shipped to the United States, an increase of 19.6%, while Japanese exports fell 14.3% to 4,664 tonnes.
China’s largest region for tea exports remained Zhejiang Province. Its 41,000 tonnes accounted for 57.9% of tea sold abroad. Hunan and Shanghai Municipality each increased their export totals sharply; Hunan’s 6,454 tonnes represented a 39% year-on-year jump and Shanghai’s 6,091 tonnes a rise of 38%.