The volume of Vietnam's tea exports in the first 10 months of this year was 64,000 tons, about 25 percent lower than the year prior due to a precipitous drop in output. According to the Vietnam Tea Association, the lower output was caused by prolonged drought and unfavorable weather conditions exacerbated by improper tea growing and processing techniques practiced by many of the local farmers. On the bright side, the exports are only 15% lower in dollar terms, signaling an increase in the average sales price.
