China-Pakistan Tea Trade Poised for Expansion as Nations Address Import-Export Imbalance

Both countries explore new opportunities in tea trade, blending cultures and boosting industrial collaboration.

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

China-Pakistan Tea Trade Poised for Expansion as Nations Address Import-Export Imbalance


Manzoor Ali, Minister at the Pakistan Embassy in China, has expressed optimism about strengthening cooperation between China and Pakistan in the tea sector, envisioning growth in bilateral trade.

As one of the world’s largest tea consumers, Pakistan, with its population of over 200 million, holds significant potential for deeper tea trade relations. To meet rising domestic demand, Pakistan's embassy has signed a partnership agreement with the International Business Advisory Council of the China International Engineering Consulting Association (CAIEC). This collaboration aims to not only satisfy local needs but also extend Pakistan's tea reach to neighboring Islamic countries and European markets.

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

In 2023, Pakistan, as the largest tea importer globally, imported over USD 600 million worth of tea, while China exported only USD 5.76 million in tea to Pakistan during the same period, highlighting a substantial gap that presents a massive opportunity for growth in the sector.

Qingyuan, a senior official at the Tea Research Institute of Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, suggested blending broken tea from both nations to create new products tailored for the global market, fostering a win-win industrial partnership. Given Pakistan's high demand for broken black tea, which is commonly used in teabags, Yunnan is seeking to boost its exports, and industrial collaboration could pave the way for long-term success.

Karachi-based writer Sadia Khatri emphasized that tea is deeply ingrained in Pakistani culture, noting that "tea is an essential part of our social fabric." At the 17th Beijing International Tea Exhibition, Pakistani trader Abdul Haq expressed similar sentiments, stating that Pakistanis have a deep appreciation for Chinese green, black, and oolong teas. He added that the trade of tea between the two nations not only strengthens commercial ties but also symbolizes cultural and emotional connection, with milk tea being a favorite in both countries.