Hangzhou Customs officers sample tea leaves at a tea garden in Hangzhou. [Photo/He Feiyu for Tide News]

East China's Zhejiang province exported 44,000 metric tons of tea in the first quarter of 2025, with a total value of 950 million yuan ($130.38 million), a year-on-year increase of 15.6 percent in volume and 16.1 percent in value, according to Hangzhou Customs.

Zhejiang leads the nation in tea exports. As one of the province's oldest industries, tea is getting a modern push. Hangzhou Customs is working with producers to tighten safety standards — focusing on pesticide limits and production practices — while also offering technical support through expert groups and trade research centers.

Health trends and seasonal demand have brought new momentum. Matcha, instant teas, and other processed products are gaining popularity, pushing traditional tea producers to innovate.

One standout is Mingbao Biotech, a Hangzhou-based company that has developed matcha powder and low-sugar instant teas. It now supplies major domestic tea drink brands and has expanded overseas. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Mingbao's tea exports topped 30 million yuan, up 43 percent from last year.