Philippines’ Tea Trade: Exploring Exports, Imports, and Tariffs

The Philippines, a country known for its vibrant agricultural sector, participates actively in the global tea trade.

Tea Imports Exports

Tea Exports from the Philippines

In 2021, the Philippines exported tea valued at $412k, placing it as the 97th largest tea exporter globally. Among the Philippines’ exported products, tea held the 692nd position during the same year. The main destinations for Philippine tea exports were the United States, accounting for $126k, followed by Canada at $94.9k, the United Arab Emirates at $37.5k, China at $27.8k, and Singapore at $25.6k.

Emerging Export Markets

The Philippines experienced significant growth in tea exports between 2020 and 2021, showcasing its ability to expand its market reach and seize new opportunities. The fastest-growing export markets for Philippine tea during this period were Canada, exhibiting remarkable growth at $43.8k, followed by China at $24.9k, and Saudi Arabia at $24.5k. These figures highlight the Philippines’ efforts to diversify its export destinations and tap into emerging tea markets.

Where Does the Philippines Export Its Tea (2021)

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AfricaKenya19
AfricaNigeria336
AsiaUnited Arab Emirates37,546
AsiaBahrain1,491
AsiaBrunei105
AsiaChina27,757
AsiaCyprus1,720
AsiaHong Kong7,614
AsiaIndonesia577
AsiaCambodia1,995
AsiaSouth Korea1,099
AsiaKuwait176
AsiaMacau1,783
AsiaMaldives140
AsiaMalaysia6,964
AsiaOman301
AsiaSaudi Arabia24,459
AsiaSingapore25,606
AsiaThailand39
AsiaTurkey331
AsiaVietnam5,986
AsiaChinese Taipei330
EuropeAustria178
EuropeBelgium1,108
EuropeSwitzerland1,368
EuropeCzechia703
EuropeGermany97
EuropeDenmark157
EuropeSpain232
EuropeFinland467
EuropeFrance1,779
EuropeUnited Kingdom1,430
EuropeIreland4,648
EuropeIceland17
EuropeMalta90
EuropeNetherlands1,763
EuropeNorway11,788
EuropePoland18
EuropeSweden1,334
North AmericaBermuda1,364
North AmericaCanada94,907
North AmericaCayman Islands493
North AmericaUnited States125,913
OceaniaAustralia7,914
OceaniaFiji576
OceaniaMicronesia3,657
OceaniaNew Zealand3,159

Tea Imports into the Philippines

In 2021, the Philippines imported tea worth $13.7 million, positioning itself as the 78th largest tea importer globally. Among imported products, tea ranked 633rd in terms of import volume in the Philippines during the same year. The Philippines primarily sourced its tea imports from Chinese Taipei, amounting to $3.21 million, followed by Indonesia at $2.63 million, Vietnam at $2.39 million, Sri Lanka at $859k, and the United States at $817k.

Expanding Import Markets

The Philippines witnessed substantial growth in tea imports between 2020 and 2021, indicating a rising demand for a diverse range of tea varieties from various sources. The fastest-growing import markets for tea in the Philippines during this period were Vietnam, experiencing a significant increase of $1.3 million, followed by Chinese Taipei at $479k and Malaysia at $262k. These figures underscore the Philippines’ pursuit of a broader selection of tea options to cater to the preferences of its tea-loving population.

Tariff Rates

In 2018, the average tariff rate for tea imports into the Philippines stood at 2.84%. Notably, countries such as Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana applied a Most Favored Nation duty rate treatment with a 3% import tariff for tea. These tariff rates play a crucial role in shaping the Philippine tea trade landscape and influencing the choice of import sources.

Where Does the Philippines Import Its Tea (2021)

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AfricaBotswana22
AfricaSouth Africa301
AsiaUnited Arab Emirates126,918
AsiaChina700,205
AsiaHong Kong41,138
AsiaIndonesia2,633,039
AsiaIndia268,897
AsiaJapan230,566
AsiaSouth Korea99,450
AsiaSri Lanka858,748
AsiaMalaysia461,428
AsiaPakistan874
AsiaSingapore211,628
AsiaThailand60,538
AsiaTurkey4,563
AsiaVietnam2,386,602
AsiaChinese Taipei3,205,891
EuropeBulgaria78,832
EuropeSwitzerland88
EuropeGermany8,460
EuropeDenmark257
EuropeSpain14,670
EuropeFinland7
EuropeFrance1,378
EuropeUnited Kingdom578,816
EuropeGreece2,309
EuropeIreland7,710
EuropeItaly7,317
EuropeLuxembourg48
EuropeLatvia7,617
EuropePoland616,325
EuropeSerbia111,559
EuropeSweden233
North AmericaCanada41,767
North AmericaPanama52,469
North AmericaUnited States817,190
OceaniaAustralia52,730
OceaniaNew Zealand3,275
OceaniaPapua New Guinea18,695
South AmericaBrazil384
South AmericaParaguay5,211

Vietnam Tea: A Popular and Reliable Choice for the Philippines’ Imports

Vietnam tea has consistently been a popular and trustworthy choice for the Philippines, thanks to its premium quality and competitive pricing. In 2021, the Philippines imported tea from Vietnam with a total value of $2,386,602, marking a 1.8% increase compared to the previous year. Vietnam holds a significant position as an important supplier of tea to the Philippines, catering to its tea requirements effectively.

Conclusion

The Philippines, with its tea exports and imports, contributes to the global tea market while satisfying the diverse preferences of its tea enthusiasts. As an exporter, the Philippines serves markets including the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Singapore. Simultaneously, as an importer, the Philippines sources tea primarily from Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and the United States. With efforts to diversify export destinations, tap into emerging markets, and expand import sources, the Philippines strengthens its position in the global tea trade. The applied tariff rates further shape the dynamics of the Philippine tea market, encouraging trade partnerships and influencing the selection of import origins.

Data: BACI

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