China's tea exports hit a record US$547 million last year, up 12.98 percent year on year, on a total volume of 287,000 tons, according to the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA).

CFNA statistics showed green tea exports surged 6.1 percent to 219,000 tons worth US$390 million, a rise of 18 percent year-on-year.

Exports included 21,000 tons of oolong tea and 31,500 tons of black tea, worth US$94,330 in total. The trade volume of oolong rose by 15 percent and black tea by 6.3 percent over the previous year.

China was the second largest tea producer in 2005, contributing around one quarter of the global tea production. Morocco, the United States, Russia and Japan were the major importers.

"The competitiveness of Chinese tea companies and their products lagged behind rivals in India, Sri Lanka and Kenya. Sharpening its cutting edge is still a challenge to China," said Cao Xumin, chairman of the CFNA.

China will hold the 2007 International Tea Convention and Expo in Changsha, capital of Hunan, China's second largest tea export province. Business representatives from the world's five top tea consumers -- Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Egypt and Pakistan -- have confirmed their participation.

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2007)