Chinese tea exports stable as demand firm, potential huge

BRI opportunity adds to glad tidings from Europe, US, Africa and Malaysia

China is expected to export 300,000 metric tons of tea leaves by the end of 2018 out of 2.8 million tons of output. Demand in Europe, the United States and emerging economies such as Africa remains stable, according the China Tea Marketing Association, a non-government industrial union.

"Traditional destinations like Europe, the United States and Africa will remain the dominating consumption destinations, but there is more potential to dig," said Wang Qing, head of the CTMA. "Exports are at a stable level of around 300,000 tons this year, with total value reaching about $1.5 billion."