BISNIS.COM, JAKARTA – Even though Indonesia has abundant natural resources for agricultural businesses, tea imports continue to show an increase. Even last year there was a spike. Quoting the Agriculture Sector Macro Indicator, published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia’s tea imports last year reached 29,584 tons or US$39.5 million. Compared to the previous year’s import volume, Indonesia’s tea imports jumped 49.74%.
Based on BPS data, Indonesia’s import volume in 2011 was recorded at 19,812 tons or US$27.32 million. BPS also shows an increasing trend of imports of beverage ingredients that can freshen up this mood since the last 5 years.
Indonesian tea imports are dominated by black tea which reaches 75%, while the rest is green tea. Based on the HS code (harmony system), Indonesian tea imports are grouped into several types, including other black tea (fermented) which dominates imports.
Black tea is tea that has undergone an enzymatic oxidation process or an incubation process in its processing. Black tea does not contain any other elements beyond the tea shoots.
Green tea is tea that does not undergo an enzymatic oxidation process or a curing process in its processing. Green tea does not lose the smell of the leaves, because it does not undergo an enzymatic oxidation process, so fragrances from trees other than tea, such as jasmine flowers, must be added.
| Indonesian Tea Import | |
| Green tea (not fermented), in packing 3 kg, leaf | 0.01 % |
| Green tea (not fermented), in packing 3 kg, other | 0.21 % |
| Green tea (not fermented), in packing 3 kg, dust | 19.23 % |
| Green tea (not fermented), in packing 3 kg, other than leaf | 2.91 % |
| Black tea (fermented), in packing 3 kg | 0.23 % |
| Black tea (fermented), in packing 3 kg other than dust | 38.72 % |
| Black tea (fermented), in packing 3 kg other than leaf | 38.63 % |
