According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, China’s tea exports experienced steady growth in 2022, showcasing the country’s continued dominance in the global tea industry. Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, China exported a total of 375,300 tons of tea last year, representing a 1.59 percent year-on-year increase.
The data also revealed that green tea accounted for the majority of China’s total tea exports, with 313,900 tons, or 83.6 percent, exported. Black tea and oolong tea made up 8.9 percent and 5.2 percent of China’s total tea exports, respectively.
In terms of the regions that contributed most to China’s tea exports, East China’s Fujian province was the top performer, accounting for 25.52 percent of the country’s total tea export value. Fujian province has long been regarded as one of China’s main tea-producing regions, with a history of tea cultivation dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).
China’s strong performance in tea exports is expected to continue, given the increasing global demand for tea and China’s long-standing reputation as a top tea producer. In addition to traditional markets, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States, China is also looking to expand its tea exports to emerging markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
The tea industry is an important sector of China’s economy, providing employment opportunities and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people. The country has implemented measures to promote the development of the tea industry, such as improving production techniques, increasing the use of technology in tea processing, and strengthening tea quality standards. With these efforts, China is well-positioned to maintain its dominant position in the global tea market in the years to come.