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Taiwan Tea Association Chairman Hsu Cheng-Ching has recently called on the Taiwanese market to open up to Chinese tea at a recent seminar held to discuss the highly controversial Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) that was signed in June. ECFA will see tariffs eliminated for a myriad of Taiwanese and Chinese products including tea over the next two years

Hsu argued that should the market fully open to Chinese tea, Taiwanese makers will have greater access to materials and supplies from mainland China, creating a win-win situation for both countries. 

During the first quarter of 2010, the value of tea exported from China’s Fujian province rose 18.7% to US$30.3 million. The export growth rate is consistent with the previous year and is an accumulation of the 2.9% growth rate recorded in the first half of the year, and a sharp increase of 17.6% during June itself – the highest increase in the half year alone. Approximately 78% of the exports are directed to Japan and Hong Kong.

The Pakistan Tea Association (PTA) reported that black tea imports increased from 7 million kgs worth US$16.9 million last July to 14.21 million kg worth US$29 million this July, nearly doubling last year’s figures.

The sharp increase could be attributed to the illegal trade routes crossing the Pakistan-Afghan border being blocked by US paramilitary forces battling extremists in the region, bringing illegal tea imports down to the same level as legitimate imports. 

The newly appointed minister of Plantation Industries, Mahinda Samarasinghe, said last week that he is seeking to have trade barriers removed against Ceylon Tea so that Sri Lanka’s tea exports could grow again.

Sri Lanka’s premium tea has a wide following around the world, particularly Russia, but their export is hampered by trade barriers and domestic conditions. Recently Russia has been turning away from Sri Lankan tea to shore up its own market and it has been feared Sri Lankan tea would have to seek other export markets, hence the anxious attempt to have its trade barriers removed. 

The executive director of the Nepal Tea Development Board has said that Nepalese tea producers will be able to start selling to the local market “within three to four years.” 

Domestic consumers are expected to be offered CTC and orthodox teas from Uday, Muna, Upahar, Mechi, and Tinpate regions. All the teas are produced in factories at Jhapa and Ilam.

Nepal  imports most of its tea, around 3,000 tons annually. 

FHA2010, held from 20 - 23 April 2023 at Singapore Expo, was a record-breaker, being the largest show ever, with a significant increase in size. The show occupied more than 82,000 square metres compared with 72,000 square metres in 2008. The number of group pavilions increased from 33 in FHA2008 to 46 this year. New group pavilions including those from Argentina, China, Philippines, Poland, South Africa and Venezuela as well as perennial exhibitors enjoyed a productive showing.