China’s tea exports declined 2.8 per cent in 2012, as demand from the EU and Japan weakened, a senior official has said.
The output reached 1.75 million tonnes last year, with 3,10,000 tonnes shipped overseas, said Yang Shengjun, Vice-President of the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce.
Most of the exports consisted of crude and loose tea, which does not have much added value. He said China will work to nurture major tea producers and boost their ability to innovate.
The value of tea exports last year climbed about 8 per cent year-on-year to a record high of $1.04 billion as increased production costs pushed up the prices, Yang said.
China’s tea exports have reached more than 120 countries and regions worldwide.