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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Analysis of the high-quality development path
of China’s tea export
Kun Qin
1,2
, Lexin ZhouID
1
*
1College of Management, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China, 2College of Tea Science,
Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
*536156868@qq.com
Abstract
As globalization and economic development accelerate, Chinese tea has emerged as an
essential export commodity in the international market. China boasts abundant tea
resources, which have significantly promoted economic growth through tea exports. This
study analyses the relevant literature and the prevailing state of China’s tea export trade.
Using statistical data on tea exports and empirical research methodologies, this investiga-
tion examines the key determinants influencing the high-quality development of China’s tea
export sector. The research integrates relevant frontier theories from management science
and engineering to propose tailored recommendations. The study reveals that while the
industry has demonstrated robust economic growth, it is confronted with challenges such as
the need for enhanced brand visibility and adherence to international quality benchmarks.
The research findings highlight the positive influence of the "Belt and Road" initiative on the
tea export trade, which advocates for strategic international collaboration. This study con-
cludes with policy recommendations that underscore the importance of bolstering the inter-
national dissemination of Chinese tea culture, standardizing export practices, and fostering
global cooperation to augment the industry’s high-quality development trajectory. The find-
ings aim to enhance the export capabilities of Chinese tea and foster the robust growth of
the tea export industry.
1. Introduction
The year 2023 marked a pivotal moment for the tea industry, with China’s tea market expected
to surpass a valuation of one trillion yuan. The per capita tea consumption in China is pro-
jected to reach 3.5 pounds, indicating a significant increase in tea intake among the populace.
Additionally, the number of tea consumers in China was set to exceed the 500 million mark.
In this context, the tea industry was poised to assume a more substantial role, particularly in
reinforcing the eradication of poverty and in catalyzing the revitalization of rural areas. This
development would have a profound impact on more than 30 million tea farmers in China,
underscoring the sector’s vital contribution to their economic well-being and broader rural
economy.
With the country’s rapid economic development and increasing improvement in people’s
living standards, people’s pursuit of green, healthy and convenient high-quality food
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OPEN ACCESS
Citation: Qin K, Zhou L (2024) Analysis of the high-
quality development path of China’s tea export.
PLoS ONE 19(11): e0311629. https://doi.org/
10.1371/journal.pone.0311629
Editor: Ehsan Elahi, Shandong University of
Technology, CHINA
Received: April 9, 2024
Accepted: September 20, 2024
Published: November 12, 2024
Copyright: ©2024 Qin, Zhou. This is an open
access article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original
author and source are credited.
Data Availability Statement: All data are in the
manuscript.
Funding: The author(s) received no specific
funding for this work.
Competing interests: The authors have declared
that no competing interests exist.
consumption is also increasing [1–3]. The change in the pace of life has also promoted changes
in the beverage industry, resulting in beverages becoming part of people’s lives. Among them,
tea beverages are also accepted by many consumers because of their health and safety, and they
are also developing rapidly in the international market. Tea leaves, the raw material of tea bev-
erages, are also important products in the international trade market.
Tea is a national beverage, and tea planting and tea use have a long history. China is the
world’s largest tea producer, consumer and foreign trade country, and tea is also one of the
important elements of China’s agricultural exports [4,5]. The country is divided into four tea
regions: South China, Southwest China, Jiangnan and Jiangbei. The comprehensive tea indus-
try output values of the provinces of interest are as follows: Fujian Province 140 billion, Yun-
nan Province 107.1 billion, Hunan Province 101.2 billion, Sichuan Province 100 billion, Hubei
Province 71.5 billion, Anhui Province 61.5 billion, and Guizhou Province 57 billion. There-
fore, fully understanding and taking advantage of the development of the tea industry and
improving the level of tea exports are important. Moreover, it could seize development oppor-
tunities and effectively respond to international competition. Moreover, strong measures
could be taken to stabilize the international status of China’s tea trade and better promote tea
exports.
With respect to the development of the tea export industry, domestic and foreign scholars
have conducted much research. The factors contributing to the expansion of Japanese green
tea exports to the USA are discussed on the basis of the econometric analysis principle [6–12].
First, the demand for Japanese green tea is different from that in China and the rest of the
world. The absolute value of the price and expenditure of Japanese green tea is less elastic in
demand than that of Chinese green tea. Second, Japanese green tea was more popular among
Americans during certain periods. The third factor is the low expenditure elasticity of Japanese
green tea production. PAL et al. reported that tea exports in India have autoregressive effects
and that production and export price realizations have asymmetric relationships with Indian
tea exports in different quartiles [13]. Through tariff reduction and pesticide policy coopera-
tion, the impacts of the TPP and RCEP on Vietnam’s tea exports are illustrated, and the
impacts of trade barriers in tea products of member countries in regional trade agreements
and excessive agricultural residues of tea products are analysed [14]. Ning et al. demonstrated
the adverse impact of new EU food safety standards on Chinese tea exports. Focusing on the
environment and trade sustainability, some scholars have combined economic indicators and
environmental indicators to analyse the tea industry systematically [15–18]. The results
revealed that the tea industry has good economic benefits and environmental protection. The
least squares method, concentration index model and SWOT model were used to compare the
development of the tea export trade at home and abroad in recent years [19–21]. The standard-
ization of tea products is an important factor affecting tea exports, and increasing pressure
from competition in developing countries has resulted. The goal of the development of tea
products in China is high-quality, organic, characteristic and product innovation. On the one
hand, the establishment of a vast area of organic tea gardens and pollution-free tea gardens
should be ensured, and management should be strengthened to achieve "controllable, traceable
and guaranteed" to ensure high-quality tea exports. Sun et al. discovered a robust positive link
between institutional quality and energy efficiency, including the beneficial spillover effects
from neighboring countries’ institutional strengths [22,23]. Liu et al. utilized grounded theory
and csQCA to dissect China’s green finance policy, identifying key governance elements and
optimization strategies for sustainable development [24]. Suroso et al. used the autoregressive
distributive lag from 1991–2020 to evaluate the effect of China’s tea exports on economic
growth [25]. A panel data (2010–2019) methodology was adopted using 10 Doing business
indicators from the World Bank and total early-stage entrepreneurial activity from the Global
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Entrepreneurship Monitor by Nave and Ferreira [26]. Research on the impact of policy and
institutional quality on green finance and energy efficiency has important implications for the
adjustment and upgrading of the tea industry. Existing studies have analysed various factors
that restrict the high-quality exports of industrial industries but lack a systematic summary of
the problem and propose corresponding solutions.
Therefore, in this paper, complex network analysis methods, behavioral economics, and
diamond-based theory were used to analyse the export status of the tea industry. We also ana-
lyse the factors related to tea exports from different aspects, such as indicators such as the dis-
play comparative advantage index, a review of tea product exports, empirical case studies, and
targeted suggestions. Through comprehensive analysis and research, this paper provides theo-
retical support and practical guidance for the high-quality development of China’s tea export
industry. The article systematically progresses from the introduction, through a range of
research methodologies, to the presentation of results and data analysis. It then delves into dis-
cussions on strategies for high-quality development before concluding with a summary of
findings and their implications.
2. Research methodology
This scholarly work presents a holistic investigation leveraging a difference-in-differences
(DID) model, sophisticated network analytical techniques, neuroeconomic inquiries into pro-
social preferences, and the diamond framework for analysis.
2.1 Analysis of the DID model in the context of Belt and Road
Fan et al. opted for the DID model as their analytical approach [18]. They utilized the volume
of Chinese tea exports as the key explanatory variable and incorporated two additional dum-
mies: a strategic dummy to indicate Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) membership, coded as 1 for
member countries and 0 for nonmembers, and a time dummy to account for temporal varia-
tions. To ensure comprehensive control for variances among nations, a suite of macroeco-
nomic and demographic control variables was selected. These included gross domestic
product (GDP), the inflation rate, the unemployment rate, the economic freedom index, and
the human development index (HDI). These controls were designed to mitigate the influence
of country-specific factors, thereby enhancing the robustness of the study’s findings and ensur-
ing a more accurate estimation of the effects under investigation. The explanatory variable
model for China’s foreign tea export volume was as follows::
TeaTradeValueit ¼b0þb1Treatiþb2Posttþb3TreatiPostt
þb4Controlsit þgtþeit ð1Þ
Within the analytical framework, the variable denoted as ’Tea Trade Value’ served as the
independent variable, quantifying the economic magnitude of China’s tea exports to interna-
tional markets. Concurrently, the term ’Treat’ was operationalized as the strategic dummy var-
iable, which was an indicator of a country’s affiliation with the Belt and Road Initiative. where
membership was binary-coded as 1, indicative of participation, and 0 signifies nonparticipa-
tion. "Yes" takes a value of 1, and "No" takes 0. "Post refers to the time dummy variable, and
Treat×Post refers to the dummy variable measuring the effect of the group policy. Where i
denotes the regional dimension and t denotes the time dimension. For example, the volume of
Chinese tea exported to country i in year t was denoted as the tea trade value. The results indi-
cated that the "Belt and Road Initiative" has had a significant positive effect on China’s tea
export trade.
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2.2 Analysis of complex network analysis methods
Originating within the mathematical domain, complex network analysis has undergone signif-
icant advancements, largely attributed to the small-world experiments and the introduction of
scale-free network models [17]. As network topology has evolved alongside advancements in
data visualization techniques, complex network analysis has been extensively applied to inves-
tigate various types of flows across different spatial scales, including trade, urban economic
activity, transportation, and population movement. This approach involves abstracting the
carriers of research interest as network nodes and representing the interactions, or "flows,"
between these carriers as edges connecting these nodes, thereby constructing a network frame-
work. The establishment of network relationships is facilitated by representing these "flows" as
lines connecting points, which allows for a comprehensive mapping of the intricate intercon-
nections within the system under study.
C = {i, j} denotes the set of countries, i and j are trade relations with each other, and R = {r
ij
}
denotes the set of tea trade volume between countries, so as to construct the i ×j trade matrix
W (Eq (2)). Let the actual trade links be m, and since not all countries produce tea trade links,
i×j>m. The complex network analysis method includes indicators such as network density,
node degree, node strength and intermediary centrality.
W□
ij¼r□
1;1r□
1;j
r□
i;1r□
i;j
" # ð2Þ
Many tea-exporting countries are tea-producing countries, and the resource endowment
and production conditions are the basis of tea export. The high level of tea processing capacity
is value gain, which is also an important factor related to the status of tea trade. The level of
national economic and social development and people’s tea drinking habits are also internal
motivations for increasing tea imports. From the perspective of China’s tea export develop-
ment, the proportion of bulk tea is large, the proportion of exports of famous tea is not high,
and the status quo of "no brand" or "weak brand" affects the enhancement of tea value.
2.3 Neuroeconomic study of social preferences
Neuroeconomics, rooted in the field of neuroscience, has advanced the integration of emo-
tional dimensions into the fabric of economic modelling, thereby extending the concept of
bounded rationality. The advent of the digital economy, in tandem with the maturation of big
data analytics and cloud computing technologies, has endowed neuroeconomics with richly
empirical data, significantly accelerating its evolution. The growing acumen of merchants in
deciphering consumer behavior was now palpable, transforming the consumer experience
into one that is not only more convenient but also, to an extent, gratifying.
This study proposed the application of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a
sophisticated brain imaging modality, to quantify and map neuronal activity within the pre-
frontal cortex during risky decision-making episodes. The goal was to escalate the analytical
depth from conventional "behavioral–psychological" frameworks to a more nuanced "brain–
neuron" paradigm. This paradigm shift is underpinned by the recognition that the human
brain operates through two distinct yet interwoven systems during decision-making: a goal-
directed, reflective, and computationally governed "controlled system."
Moreover, the confluence of neuroeconomic and behavioral economic methodologies was
harnessed to aggregate and scrutinize consumer preferences for a spectrum of export-oriented
products. This analytical approach was designed to deepen the comprehension of consumer
motivations and inclinations, particularly within the domain of tea exports. The insights
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gleaned from this study can be used to innovate marketing paradigms and enrich consumer
engagement strategies.
2.4 Diamond theory
To scrutinize the determinants of China’s international competitiveness in the tea sector, an
in-depth analysis and study of the diamond model was employed, a theoretical framework
originally conceptualized by Professor Michael Porter. The diamond model encompasses a
comprehensive examination of industries ranging from primary to tertiary, focusing on spe-
cific agricultural products, including those that are traded internationally and factors pertinent
to agricultural development and production.The study delves into the intrinsic mechanisms
influencing the international competitiveness of China’s tea industry by examining the inter-
play between production factors, related and supporting industries, the strategic behaviors of
firms, and the prevailing demand conditions. The analysis of these four dimensions, as posited
by the diamond model, is presented as an integrative theory where the elements mutually rein-
force and intersect, culminating in a diamond-shaped model that encapsulates the industry’s
international competitiveness. To foster a clearer understanding and application of Michael
Porter’s theory of competitive advantage, the Diamond Model theoretical framework diagram
is provided as a potent visual and conceptual instrument, as shown in Fig 1.
3. Results and data analysis
The historical narrative of Chinese tea exports has had an enduring global impact, with China
dominating the world tea market supply until the mid-19th century. Notably, during the Qing
Dynasty in the 18th century, the export sales of tea began to scale up significantly, culminating
in a peak in 1886. This was followed by a period of decline that lasted until the 1980s, after the
liberation of New China, when the tea industry experienced a resurgence and both production
and export sales flourished.
The scholarly inquiry into the export of tea in China has been multifaceted, encompassing
(i) an examination of the development and trade dynamics of tea between China and the West
from a Chinese perspective; (ii) studies focusing on regional markets such as China and the
Fig 1. Illustration of the commonality of theories Michael Porter’s diamond theory.
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United States, China and Russia, and China and Britain, as well as broader research into the
tea trade between China and the West; (iii) investigations into specific tea-producing regions
within China, including Fujian, Hubei, and Guizhou; and (iv) comparative studies of tea-pro-
ducing nations such as India and Japan in relation to Chinese tea, particularly in the late 19th
century, after the established patterns of tea production and marketing were disrupted.
From January to December 2022, China’s tea exports totaled 375,200 tons, an increase of
14800 tons or 4.11% over the whole year of 2021, as shown in Fig 2. However, the value of Chi-
na’s tea exports was $2.083 billion, down $216 million from 2021 and down 9.4% year-over-
year, the first negative growth in tea exports in a decade (as shown in Fig 3).
In recent years, the trajectory of China’s tea export sector has been characterized by a blend
of dynamics. Despite the presence of numerous uncertainties, the export initiative has demon-
strated a robust capacity for advancement, as evidenced by an overall stable and modestly
increasing volume. However, the pattern of international trade in Chinese tea has not under-
gone significant breakthroughs. The promotion of products enriched with technological con-
tent and cultural value in the global market has been limited, resulting in exports that are often
categorized as low quality and priced accordingly. Nevertheless, the Chinese tea industry pos-
sesses considerable untapped potential for improvement and growth.
An analysis of the international competitiveness index of China’s tea exports was con-
ducted, employing pertinent indicators and market share data. This examination delves into
the intrinsic correlations and projected trends, offering insights into the underlying dynamics
and the path forward for China’s tea export industry on the global stage.
3.1 Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA)
The RCA index is a common indicator used to measure the level of competitiveness of a coun-
try’s products or industries in the international market. It is the ratio of the share of a country
Fig 2. Changes in China’s tea export volume from 2013–2022.
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or region’s exports of a certain type of product in its total exports to the share of the world’s
total exports of that type of goods in the world. The larger the index is, the more competitive
the country is in the international market.
The formula for the index of revealed comparative advantage is
RCA ¼ ðXat=XaÞ=ðXtw=XwÞ. Where Xat is the export value of tea in a region, Xa is the export
value of all products in a region, Xtw is the global export value of tea, and Xw is the total for-
eign sales of all commodities in the world. When RCA<0.8, the export competitiveness is
weak; when 0.8<RCA<1.25, the export competitiveness is average; when 1.25<RCA<2.5, the
export competitiveness is strong; when RCA>2.5, the export competitiveness is very strong.
By consulting the China Statistical Yearbook and the United Nations statistical database to
calculate the index of the displayed comparative advantage of Chinese tea, the RCA index of
tea has generally increased. However, the rate of increase is relatively flat, which indicates that
Chinese tea exports have a relatively strong comparative advantage and that tea exports are
competitive.
3.2 International Market Share (IMS)
IMS is the proportion of the total exports of a certain product of a country or region to the
total exports of the world. The index is relatively simple to calculate, but can directly derive the
international competitiveness results of a certain product of a country or region.
The formula for calculating the international market share is IMS = Xt/ Xw×100%, where
Xt is the number of tea exports in region t and Xw is the total amount of tea exports world-
wide. The larger the IMS value, the greater the export competitiveness of the tea industry in
that region.
Through the use of relevant data to calculate the international market share of Chinese tea,
the IMS value of tea continues to rise. The findings show that the international market share of
Fig 3. Change in China’s tea export value from 2013–2022.
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Chinese tea in general still tends to increase annually, and the competitive advantage of tea
exports is relatively obvious.
3.3 Trade Competition Index (TCI)
The formula of the trade competition index is TCI = (X-M) /(X+ M), where X denotes the
total value of tea exports in a region and M denotes the total value of tea imports in a region.
When X is greater than M, it means that the tea export of the region is greater than the import,
TCI is positive and has a competitive advantage in terms of exports, TCI is large, and the tea
export is competitive.
3.4 Data analysis
To explore the development of tea in relevant countries in recent years, data, and tea market
analysis, China and the relevant tea-exporting countries’ tea exports were compared, as was
the general situation of China’s high-quality tea development.
In 2022, Chinese green tea exports were 313895 tons, accounting for 83.6% of total exports,
an increase of 1631 tons, or 0.5%, as shown in Fig 4A and 4B. Black tea exports were 33200
tons, accounting for 8.9% of total exports, an increase of 3648 tons, or 12.3%; oolong tea
exports were 19200 tons, accounting for 5.2%, an increase of 201 tons, an increase of 1.1%;
flower tea exports of 6507 tons, accounting for 1.7% of total exports, an increase of 672 tons,
an increase of 11.5%; Pu’er tea exports of 1916 tons, accounting for 0.5% of total exports, a
decrease of 260 tons, a decrease of 11.9%; and black tea exports of 351 tons, accounting for
0.1% of total exports.
4. Discussion of the high-quality development strategy of the
Chinese tea export industry
4.1 Management reinforcement and risk control
Gather early-warning intelligence and enhancing risk mitigation strategies: Export tea compa-
nies should vigilantly monitor specialized platforms for risk alerts to stay abreast of the latest
technical trade measures. Timely acquisition of foreign inspection, quarantine technology, and
risk warning information is crucial for preemptive planning and effective navigation of
unforeseen risks.
To improve raw material management and establish a robust prevention and control frame-
work, there should be a heightened focus on the quality and safety of raw tea materials. Export
tea enterprises must exert strict control over key aspects, such as the management of tea plan-
tations, the pesticide registry encompassing procurement and application and the collection of
fresh leaves. By initiating stringent controls at the source, the presence of pesticide residues
can be mitigated, fostering the standardization of tea garden cultivation.
Institute a traceability mechanism and refine the traceability management system: Export
tea enterprises must bolster their information technology infrastructure to enhance the trace-
ability system. This involves closely monitoring the composition of the raw materials used in
exported tea and managing the quality and safety of the finished products. Further improve-
ments in the identification process and the establishment of comprehensive production and
processing records are essential to engender trust among international customers regarding
product quality and safety.
Adopt scientific management practices and actively pursue relevant certifications. To keep
pace with the evolving landscape of international trade, export tea companies should enforce
stringent internal management protocols and refine their quality management systems.
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Actively seeking quality management system certifications and leveraging the expertise of sys-
tem consulting agencies for diverse certification processes will be key to adapting to new trade
dynamics.
Fig 4. Exports by tea category. (a) Export volume comparison chart in 2021-2022(b) Pie chart of export volume in 2022.
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4.2 Developing industries in target markets
From a long-term development perspective, the advantages of China’s tea will continue to be
highlighted in different countries and regions to optimize the structure of China’s tea exports.
We should further increase the development of tea health products, improve the application of
tea technology in tea exports, and improve the added value of tea products. We should pay
attention to the development of new-style tea drinks on the basis of the beverage market and
enhance the discourse of tea drinks in the tea market.
First, in the context of Russia and CIS countries and other markets, attention should be
given to the analysis of their love of black tea. This tea consumption market has stabilized,
with the opening of this country and region and the improvement of living standards. To
focus on recommending Chinese green tea and special tea and pay attention to the cultivation
of consumer habits, the future of Chinese tea exports should continue to increase. Second, in
the U.S. market, the U.S. market has diversified tea, green tea, special tea, organic tea and tea
health products, and tea products as ideal health drinks and food, with the United States and
China’s tea industry continuing to expand exchanges. The situation is positive and continues
to rise. The third is the EU market; the EU tea testing standards are relatively strict and, to a
certain extent, affect tea exports. Furthermore, in recent years, China has focused on improv-
ing quality and efficiency, maintaining strict organic tea garden standards, and national quality
inspection departments have strictly prioritized tea export quality; this market will continue to
be stable. Fourth, Asia, Africa, Islamic countries and other markets are the traditional advan-
tages of China’s tea export market, and for the countries and regions with strong tea-drinking
habits, green tea has become necessary. With the economic development of the countries and
regions, China’s tea export situation is good. Fifth, the Japanese market is the traditional main
market for China’s tea exports, especially oolong tea, steamed green tea production and export
from major countries, and the Japanese market has significant objective demand. Chinese tea
enterprises actively respond to changes. Six is the Middle East market, which is also the main
market for black tea consumption. Due to local unrest, the impact of China’s tea enterprises
expanding the tea market in the region will increase slightly in the future.
4.3 Data analysis of Chinese tea industry in recent years
4.3.1 Analysis of tea planting area growth in China. As shown in Fig 5A and 5B, the
analysis presents a comprehensive overview of the growth in tea planting areas across various
provinces in China for 2023. The data reveal a pattern of expansion in tea cultivation, with sev-
eral provinces demonstrating significant growth rates. Notably, Shandong Province exhibited
the most substantial increase, with a 31.08% growth rate, followed by Jiangxi Province and
Fujian Province, both of which presented growth rates above 4%. Anhui Province also experi-
enced a healthy increase, indicating a positive trend in tea cultivation. Conversely, Jiangsu
Province experienced a slight decline, suggesting potential market saturation or a shift in agri-
cultural priorities. The growth in tea planting areas can be attributed to various factors, includ-
ing government policies, market demand, and advancements in agricultural practices.
The regional variability in tea planting area growth rates highlights a nuanced picture of the
development of the Chinese tea industry. While the majority of provinces report an increase,
the rates of growth differ significantly. For example, Chongqing experienced a substantial
increase of 27.35%, highlighting the potential for further expansion in tea cultivation. The rela-
tively stable growth in Guangdong Province and the slight decline in Guizhou Province sug-
gest a more conservative approach to tea cultivation in these regions. The overall trend
indicates a continued commitment to the tea industry, with a few provinces opting for consoli-
dation rather than aggressive expansion. The data underscore the need for tailored strategies
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Fig 5. Tea production area and growth rate in China from 2022 to 2023. (a) Comparison of tea area in different
provinces. (b) Growth rate analysis.
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that consider regional specificities and market dynamics to ensure sustainable growth and
competitiveness in the global tea market.
These insights into regional growth patterns and overall industry trends provide a founda-
tion for policymakers and industry stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding
resource allocation, market positioning, and long-term planning in the Chinese tea industry.
4.3.2 Province-level analysis of tea industry value. The analysis delves into the provincial
economic contributions of the tea industry in China, as reflected by the gross value data from
2022–2023, as shown in Fig 6A and 6B. The findings reveal a dichotomy in growth patterns
across various provinces. Notably, Fujian Province exhibited the most robust growth, with a
nearly 20% increase, underscoring its burgeoning tea industry. Similarly, Yunnan Province
experienced a remarkable surge, with a 30.08% growth rate, indicating a significant expansion
in tea production and market penetration. Anhui and Hunan Provinces also experienced sub-
stantial increases, suggesting a positive trend in the regional tea sector. These growth trajecto-
ries can be attributed to a combination of effective agricultural practices, market demand, and
provincial policies that favour the tea industry.
Conversely, several provinces, such as Jiangsu and Henan, experienced a decline in tea
industry value, with Jiangsu showing an 8.01% decrease and Henan showing a substantial
22.02% reduction. This downwards trend may indicate challenges within these regional tea
sectors, such as market saturation or increased competition. Guangxi and Guizhou Provinces
also reported decreases, albeit at a lesser magnitude. These declines necessitate a critical exami-
nation of the underlying factors and potential policy interventions to revitalize the industry.
The aggregate analysis painted a complex picture of China’s tea industry, highlighting the
need for a nuanced approach to regional development strategies. Provinces experiencing
growth present opportunities for further investment and expansion, whereas those facing
declines require targeted support to address underlying issues. The substantial growth in prov-
inces such as Fujian and Yunnan suggests that with the right combination of agricultural inno-
vation, market orientation, and policy support, the tea industry can continue to thrive. The
disparities in provincial growth rates underscore the importance of tailored strategies that con-
sider regional specificities, market dynamics, and the broader economic context. For provinces
experiencing decline, there is a need for immediate policy reviews and the implementation of
initiatives aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of their tea sectors. For
those with growth, the challenge lies in sustaining this momentum through continued innova-
tion and market engagement. This study’s findings provide a foundation for policymakers,
industry leaders, and researchers to make informed decisions and chart a path forward for the
continued prosperity of China’s tea industry.
4.3.3 Integrated analysis of china’s tea industry: Cultivation and economic valuation.
The dual analysis of cultivation areas and economic output within China’s tea industry pres-
ents a comprehensive view of the sector’s dynamism. On the cultivation front, the data from
various provinces indicate a province-specific growth trajectory, with Shandong Province
leading in expansion, whereas others, such as Jiangsu and Guizhou, exhibit a retrenchment.
This variability in growth rates could be attributed to regional agricultural policies, market
forces, and the adaptability of local tea industries. Economically, the industry shows a mixed
landscape, with provinces such as Fujian and Yunnan recording significant increases in output
value, suggesting a robust and thriving market presence. In contrast, provinces such as Jiangsu
and Henan have experienced a decline, which may signal the need for policy reevaluations and
strategic interventions to address challenges in the tea value chain.
The synthesis of cultivation and economic data reveals that while some regions are experienc-
ing a renaissance in tea production and market competitiveness, others are experiencing stagna-
tion or decline. This calls for a nuanced and region-specific approach to policy-making and
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Analysis of the high-quality development path of China’s tea export
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Fig 6. Analysis of tea output value distribution and growth- decrease rate of provinces.(a) Comparison of out-
value in various provinces. (b) Growth rate analysis.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311629.g006
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industry development. A combination of factors, including but not limited to agricultural innova-
tion, market demand, and effective governance, clearly plays a crucial role in shaping the trajec-
tory of the tea industry in China. The findings underscore the necessity for strategic and adaptive
planning to manage the complexities of this diverse and multifaceted sector.
4.4 Analysis of influencing factors restricting the development of tea in China
The high-quality development of China’s tea export industry is a complex and challenging
endeavor, which necessitates addressing intense competition from major global tea-producing
nations such as India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya, which compete with China in the international
market for their lower production costs, stable outputs, and robust brand presence. Addition-
ally, the industry must adhere to increasingly stringent international quality standards and cer-
tification requirements, including regulations regarding pesticide residues, heavy metal
content, and sanitary safety, which are prerequisites for Chinese tea to gain market access and
consumer trust globally. Despite China’s vast tea garden areas and output, which constitute a
significant portion of the global total, the international brand influence of Chinese tea remains
relatively weak, lacking globally recognized names akin to Lipton, thus limiting its competitive
edge in the global market. Consequently, enhancing brand development and implementing
effective marketing strategies are essential for increasing the international profile and market
share of Chinese tea. Furthermore, optimizing supply chain management is crucial for ensur-
ing the quality and timely supply of tea from cultivation to processing and export. Any ineffi-
ciency or mismanagement within the supply chain can lead to a decline in the final product’s
quality, thereby affecting market competitiveness.
The lack of technological innovation and R&D investment is also a critical factor constrain-
ing the development of China’s tea export industry, as the capabilities in tea processing tech-
nology and new product development directly impact the quality and diversity of tea, with
innovation deficiencies potentially leading to product homogenization and a lack of market
competitiveness. Moreover, international trade policies and barriers, such as tariffs, quotas,
and trade protectionism, may restrict the export of Chinese tea, and a lack of domestic policy
support and incentive measures may also impact the development of the tea industry. Climate
change and environmental factors, including extreme weather events and environmental pol-
lution, may adversely affect tea yield and quality, while the promotion of sustainable agricul-
tural practices is vital for environmental protection, quality enhancement, and meeting
consumer demands for sustainable products. Rapid changes in consumer preferences require
the Chinese tea export industry to keep pace with market trends and satisfy the diverse needs
of consumers. Finally, information asymmetry may result in inadequate international market
recognition of Chinese tea, influencing consumer purchasing decisions.
Therefore, the Chinese tea export industry must adopt a range of comprehensive strategies,
including strengthening quality control, enhancing brand influence, optimizing supply chain
management, increasing investment in technological innovation and R&D, actively respond-
ing to international trade policy changes, implementing sustainable agriculture strategies, and
adapting flexibly to market changes. Additionally, international cooperation and exchanges
should be fostered to improve the global recognition and influence of Chinese tea, thereby
overcoming the aforementioned challenges and promoting the industry’s sustained develop-
ment and enhancement of international competitiveness.
4.5 Development strategy
4.5.1 Strengthening the international dissemination and brand building of chinese tea
culture. Promoting the international dissemination and brand construction of Chinese tea
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culture in the context of globalization is particularly important. To increase the international
market’s understanding of and interest in Chinese tea, efforts should be made collectively by
the government, social organizations, enterprises, and individuals to strengthen the overseas
promotion and education of Chinese tea culture. The implementation pathways include utiliz-
ing cultural exchange activities, international tea expos, and tea culture festivals to highlight
the unique charm of Chinese tea culture; establishing tea culture centers overseas to hold tea
art performances and teaching activities; and publishing tea culture content in multiple lan-
guages through social media and online platforms to attract young consumers. Moreover, to
build Chinese tea brands with international influence, it is necessary to support potential tea
enterprises in brand building, encourage product innovation, carry out brand promotion and
marketing activities in the international market, and expand brand influence through partner-
ships and international distribution networks.
4.5.2 Standardization of the tea export trade and market diversification. Enhancing
the quality and standardization of tea production is fundamental to the high-quality develop-
ment of China’s tea export trade. The tea quality standard system should be established and
improved, organic tea gardens and sustainable cultivation methods should be promoted, qual-
ity management and traceability systems in the production process should be strengthened,
and collaboration with international certification organizations to obtain internationally rec-
ognized quality certifications. Moreover, market diversification is key to the development of
China’s tea export trade. The tea consumption habits of different countries and regions should
be studied in depth, targeted market entry strategies should be formulated, free trade agree-
ments and regional economic cooperation mechanisms should be used to reduce trade barri-
ers, and export channels should be expanded.
4.5.3 Enhancing international cooperation, information technology, and talent cultiva-
tion. Strengthening international cooperation and exchanges, establishing cooperative rela-
tionships with international tea organizations and major tea-producing countries, and jointly
promoting the development of the global tea trade are essential. China has participated in the
formulation and revision of international tea standards to enhance its say in the international
tea trade and has collaborated with international tea research institutions to conduct tea sci-
ence research and talent cultivation. The application of modern information technology can
significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of the tea export trade. A tea export trade
information platform for data sharing and analysis should be established, e-commerce plat-
forms should be used to expand online sales channels, and intelligent tea production and logis-
tics systems should be developed to reduce costs and improve response speed. At the same
time, the training of talent in the fields of tea culture and tea trade should be strengthened by
offering related courses in colleges and vocational and technical colleges, encouraging students
to participate in international exchanges and internship programs, and cooperating with inter-
national tea enterprises and institutions for talent development projects, cultivating profes-
sionals with an international perspective and professional capabilities.
Through these comprehensive recommendations and implementation pathways, the high-
quality development of China’s tea export trade can be effectively promoted, and the status
and influence of Chinese tea in the international market can be enhanced.
5. Conclusion
This paper posits that while an extensive body of literature exists on the subject of China’s tea
export trade, it is predominantly predicated on a constrained theoretical framework for analy-
sis. Concurrently, the extant research lacks a systematic elucidation of the issues at hand and
the articulation of pertinent solutions. In this study, a multifaceted approach was adopted,
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employing complex network analysis, behavioral economics, and diamond-based theoretical
constructs to scrutinize the export status of China’s tea industry. In pursuit of fostering the
industry’s high-quality development, strategic recommendations are offered. The findings are
delineated as follows:
Recently, Chinese tea has been disseminated to 126 countries and regions, with the expan-
sion of China’s tea research institutions and tea cultivation exhibiting a sustained upwards tra-
jectory. Notably, China’s tea garden area constitutes 60% of the global total, and its output
exceeds 40% of the world’s production. Nonetheless, the overarching condition of China’s tea
exports remains extensive yet not robust, with the tea market value falling short of that of Brit-
ain’s Lipton tea.
Synthesizing the developmental trajectory and trends of both domestic and international
industries, this paper advances a strategic blueprint for the enhancement of Chinese tea
exports. This blueprint encompasses three overarching objectives: management consolidation,
risk mitigation, and market orientation. Specifically, it delineates five pivotal strategies: (i)
gathering early warning intelligence to bolster product risk management; (ii) instituting a
traceability mechanism and refining the traceability management system; (iii) fortifying source
management and erecting a robust raw material prevention and control framework; (iv)
implementing scientific management practices and actively pursuing relevant certifications;
and (v) nurturing domestic tea industry growth by aligning with international market
demands for tea.
(3) The analysis of China’s tea industry reveals a complex interplay of regional cultivation
growth and economic valuation, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to address the
diverse and dynamic provincial trends that shape the sector’s future.
(4) The international promotion and branding of Chinese tea culture necessitate a coordi-
nated approach involving various stakeholders. This strategy should capitalize on global plat-
forms to highlight the uniqueness of Chinese tea and to educate international consumers.
Additionally, it is crucial to standardize tea production, diversify export markets, and integrate
modern information technology to increase trade efficiency. Cultivating international talent is
also key to sustaining industry development, collectively aiming to strengthen the global pres-
ence of Chinese tea.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization: Kun Qin, Lexin Zhou.
Data curation: Kun Qin.
Funding acquisition: Lexin Zhou.
Investigation: Lexin Zhou.
Methodology: Lexin Zhou.
Writing – original draft: Kun Qin.
Writing – review & editing: Lexin Zhou.
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