Booming Spring Tea Exports: Tea Enterprises Busy Fulfilling Orders
Expanding Global Markets Rapidly
At the production workshop of Zhejiang Huafa Tea Co., Ltd, boxed green tea is ready to be shipped to Uzbekistan via China-Europe freight trains.
"Morocco used to be our core market. In recent years, rising demand from Belt and Road partner countries has driven us to chase new orders actively. Currently, Uzbekistan has become our second largest trading partner, with our exports to the country surging around 20% in the first quarter this year," said Chen Maiping, manager of the company's foreign trade department. According to Shaoxing Customs under Hangzhou Customs, tea exports to Uzbekistan supervised by the customs reached nearly 33 million yuan in Q1, a year-on-year increase of about 20%.
Shengzhou Yihua Tea Co., Ltd. is also forging ahead into international markets. By upgrading production technologies and introducing automated equipment, the company has lifted the added value of its export tea products and gained a foothold in France and Belgium. This year, it has further expanded into Spain and the Netherlands. "Our exports to the EU rose roughly 15% in the first quarter," noted Chen Zhihua, person in charge of the enterprise.
To better support exporters, Shaoxing Customs leverages the Hangzhou Research Base for Technical Barriers to Trade of Tea Products. It compares regulatory standards between China, the EU, the UK and other regions, guiding tea exporters to update production criteria and improve product quality. In Q1, the customs oversaw 34,200 tons of tea exports valued at 740 million yuan, up 22.6% and 29.6% year on year respectively.
Hubei's spring tea sector has also adapted to global market trends, breaking reliance on traditional destinations. With targeted layout and diversified expansion, the province has realized a remarkable transformation of its export structure. Spring tea from Hubei's old revolutionary base areas now travels across the globe.
Wuhan Customs recorded 7,819.7 tons of tea exports worth nearly 200 million yuan in the first quarter.
Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, a major spring tea production base in Hubei, boasts the reputation of "World Selenium Capital". Riding on Belt and Road opportunities, its tea exports keep growing steadily. In Q1, Enshi exported 3,398 tons of tea worth 71.873 million yuan, ranking among the top in Hubei in both volume and value.
Enshi has optimized its export layout continuously. It maintains solid advantages in bulk tea exports to Africa. A special tea event was held in Morocco last year, securing multiple cooperation deals and an overseas public warehouse. Meanwhile, premium teas such as Enshi Yulu and selenium-rich tea have entered high-end markets including the EU and Japan. The local tea products are now sold to more than 20 countries and regions across Central Asia and North America.
Huanggang is another key tea-producing area in Hubei. Hubei Chuliuxiang Tea Co., Ltd. has built long-term business ties with Uzbekistan and recently signed a permanent order for 1,500 tons of refined green tea, securing stable market share. Local tea enterprises also participate in global tea fairs and trade events to boost export volume and explore new markets. In the first quarter, Huanggang achieved major breakthroughs in exports to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, West Africa and other emerging markets.
