Vietnamese Tea Priced at Half on Global Market: VITAS

Vietnam’s tea products are offered at only half of prices in the global market, according to the Vietnam’s Tea Association (VITAS).

 

Vietnam, the fifth largest tea exporter in the world, ships tea products to 110 countries and territories, but it cannot predict its tea prices, VITAS said, adding last year the country offered its tea at prices of US$1.100 per ton, much lower than global prices of US$2,200 per ton.

 

However, up to 98% of Vietnamese tea exported remains raw, and some international enterprises use Vietnamese tea to process and produce high-quality tea and sell for US$9,800 per ton.

 

Currently, Vietnam has 635 tea processing plants and facilities which lack input material because 40% of the demand is met. Moreover, Vietnamese tea quality is not high and contain residue of pesticides.

 

In 2009, Vietnam exported 133,000 tons of tea, earned US$178 million, the General Statistics Office said. (New Hanoi, GSO)