The figures represent an increase of 116 per cent in volume and 114 per cent in value, against the same period last year.

Tea is one of the country's few products which have seen an increase in export value this year, despite the global economic recession, according to the association.

However, tea producers are also facing difficulties as most export contracts have delayed payments.

Several importers have also proposed prolonging the delivery of export contracts.

To deal with the problem, the association says the Government should have incentive policies, including credit policies, to support tea producers and traders.

The association estimates that tea exports will continue to increase this year, with a target of 117,000 tonnes, up 13 per cent against last year.

In order to reach this target, tea producers need to improve the quality of tea, its hygiene and food safety, says the association.

The association says that tea producers should replace traditional processing facilities with advanced technology to help improve the quality and value of tea products and reduce production costs.

Besides maintaining its current markets, the tea industry needs to expand its outlet to other countries, including , , , the , and , according to the association.

now exports tea products to 110 countries and territories under the trademark of CheViet.

The country has 35 provinces which grow a total of 131,500ha of tea with an annual average output of 6.5 tonnes of fresh tea per hectare.

Source: VNA