Xinan (Southwest) Tea Wholesale Market in Hengxian County, Guangxi

Southwest Tea Wholesale Market in Hengxian County, Guangxi (广西横县西南茶城), is located north of Hengzhou Town, the county seat of Hengxian County. It consists of three main components: the Jasmine Flower Trading Market, the Tea Trading Market, and the Finished Tea Wholesale Market. Designated as a key market by the Ministry of Agriculture of China, it is one of the four major tea markets in China and has been awarded the title of National Key Tea Market by the China Tea Circulation Association.

The Xinan Tea Wholesale Market (西南茶城) is located in Hengzhou Town (横州镇), Hengzhou City (横州市), Guangxi Province (广西省), China. It is one of the largest tea trading centers in the region, consisting of three main components: the Jasmine Flower Trading Market, the Tea Trading Market, and the Finished Tea Wholesale Market. The market spans over 38,000 square meters, with a total building area of 19,000 square meters. The market is considered one of China’s top four tea markets and has been recognized as a “National Key Tea Market”. It is also the largest global hub for jasmine flowers and floral teas, with an annual transaction volume of over 30 million kilograms of jasmine flowers and 26,000 tons of tea.

Overview

  • Name: Xinan Tea Wholesale Market (西南茶城)

  • Location: Hengzhou Town (横州镇), Hengzhou City (横州市), Guangxi Province (广西省)

  • Total Area: 38,000 square meters

  • Building Area: 19,000 square meters

  • Year Established: 1993

  • Annual Jasmine Flower Transactions: Over 30 million kilograms

  • Annual Tea Transactions: Approximately 26,000 tons

  • Key Products: Jasmine tea, floral teas, green tea, tea cakes

  • Nearby Airports: Nanning Wuxu International Airport (南宁吴圩国际机场)

  • Nearby Train Stations: Hengzhou Railway Station (横州火车站)

Market Components and Functionality

The Xinan Tea Wholesale Market comprises three primary trading zones, each focusing on different aspects of the tea industry:

Jasmine Flower Trading Market

The Jasmine Flower Trading Market is the largest of its kind in China, specializing in the trade of fresh jasmine flowers (and magnolia flowers). The market operates from April to November each year, with peak trading periods during the jasmine flower blooming season. On average, around 20,000 flower farmers gather here daily to trade fresh flowers. In 2007, the market saw 33.7 million kilograms of jasmine flowers and 3.1 million kilograms of magnolia flowers, with a total transaction value of 265 million RMB.

Tea Trading Market

The Tea Trading Market mainly handles the trading of green tea and tea cakes, sourced from the Heng County (横县) jasmine tea processing base. Over the years, the market has introduced various policies to attract tea companies from Yunnan (云南), Zhejiang (浙江), Beijing, and other provinces, as well as local tea merchants. The market now has 118 shops, with the 2007 transaction volume of raw tea reaching 28.3 million kilograms, valued at 791 million RMB.

Finished Tea Wholesale Market

The Finished Tea Wholesale Market specializes in finished tea products, with an emphasis on jasmine tea and other floral teas. The high production volume and superior quality of jasmine flowers from Heng County have supported the establishment of over 160 local tea processing companies. Many of these companies set up shops in the Finished Tea Market, which has enriched the market’s variety of floral teas and bolstered its competitiveness. This has also played a pivotal role in promoting Heng County’s tea brand internationally.

Key Impact and Growth

  • The Jasmine Flower Trading Market contributes significantly to the jasmine flower industry in China, becoming a major trading hub for both local and international buyers.

  • The Tea Trading Market has successfully attracted numerous tea companies, leading to a steady increase in trade volume and further strengthening Hengzhou’s position as a key player in the tea industry.

  • The Finished Tea Wholesale Market has had a lasting impact on the local tea industry, making Hengzhou a leader in the floral tea market. The market plays an essential role in expanding Hengzhou’s tea exports and boosting its global competitiveness.

Economic and Cultural Influence

The Xinan Tea Wholesale Market is not only an economic driver for the region but also a cultural hub for tea enthusiasts and professionals. It provides a platform for the exchange of tea culture and promotes the development of the tea industry in Guangxi Province (广西省). The market is a key destination for anyone interested in exploring China’s rich tea culture and learning about the art of tea production and trade.

Future Prospects

With its growing influence and expanding operations, the Xinan Tea Wholesale Market continues to build its reputation as a central hub for the global tea trade. It remains a key player in connecting tea producers, wholesalers, and retailers both in China and internationally.