China, Pakistan eye stronger collaboration in tea industry to bridge import-export gap.
Manzoor Ali, Minister at the Pakistan Embassy in China, expressed optimism for strengthened cooperation between Pakistan and China in the tea industry.
He emphasized Pakistan’s position as a major tea consumer, with over 200 million people, and highlighted the potential for expanding bilateral trade in this sector.
Manzoor shared that the embassy has signed an agreement with the China International Engineering Consulting Association (CIECC) to meet Pakistan’s tea market demand and also to export to neighboring Islamic countries and Europe.
According to the United Nations COMTRADE database, Pakistan, the world’s largest tea importer, imported over USD 600 million worth of tea in 2023, while China’s tea exports to Pakistan were just USD 5.76 million, indicating significant room for increased collaboration.
Qingyuan, a senior official at the Tea Research Institute of Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, suggested blending broken tea from China and Pakistan to create new products for international markets, fostering industrial cooperation.
He noted that Pakistan has high demand for broken black tea, commonly used for teabags, while Yunnan is looking to increase its exports. Industrial guidance from Yunnan could be key to enhancing Pak-China tea cooperation.
Karachi-based writer Sadia Khatri remarked that tea is an integral part of Pakistani culture, playing a central role in daily life and social interactions, as she explored the Beijing International Tea Exhibition.
Pakistani trader Abdul Haq echoed this sentiment, noting that Pakistanis enjoy various Chinese teas, such as green, black, and oolong, with high-quality varieties in high demand. He emphasized that the tea trade is more than just business—it’s a cultural and emotional bond. He added that both Pakistani and Chinese cultures are embracing milk tea, showcasing the growing cultural exchange between the two nations.
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