Taiwan’s tea exports hit a new high in 2012, with estimated volume of 3,126 metric tons and value of US$36.23 million, up 11.74 percent and 16.54 percent year on year, respectively, the ROC Council of Agriculture said April 2.
In volume terms, fermented black tea was the top category for the second year running, at 1,250 metric tons. But semifermented black tea, which includes the pricier Pouchong and oolong teas, had the top export value at US$16.7 million.
Taiwan tea products are popular among mainland Chinese, so semiofficial exports via the “mini three links” may be much higher than official figures. According to one estimate, mainland Chinese tourists take home between 4,000 and 5,000 metric tons of tea, mostly of the Pouchong variety.
Taiwan’s total tea production was 17,310 metric tons in 2011, the latest year for which COA figures are available.
Taiwan is also a major buyer of tea, with 29,268 metric tons imported in 2011. The average price of exported tea is US$11.59 per kilogram, compared with US$1.75 for imports, a COA official said.
The main export destinations for Taiwan tea are Japan, the U.S. and mainland China, with official exports across the strait in 2012 at 617.27 metric tons, down from 671.26 metric tons the year before. (SDH)
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