Vietnam’s tea exports near 12,000 tonnes in October (Photo : VNA)
In the first ten months of 2025, the country exported over 109,000 tonnes of tea, earning more than USD 188 million, down 10.2 per cent in volume and 11.2 per cent in value year-on-year. The average export price stood at over USD 1,723 per tonne, 1.1 per cent lower than the same period last year.
Despite global headwinds, several key markets showed positive signs. Pakistan, Taiwan (China), and China remained Vietnam’s top three tea importers, accounting for 41.2 per cent, 11.5 per cent, and 9.2 per cent of total export value, respectively. Notably, exports to Pakistan fell by 7.1 per cent, while shipments to Taiwan and China grew slightly by 2.9 per cent and 3.2 per cent.
However, the sector is facing major challenges, as it continues to focus heavily on yield, relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides that degrade soil, reduce tea quality and plant longevity, and affect worker health.
In an attempt to improve production and value, tea producers have been urged to diversify products, invest in deep processing, and shift toward organic cultivation. This transformation is seen as crucial to enhancing export value, building a high-quality Vietnamese tea brand, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for tea growers amid intensifying global competition.
