5 Leading Tea Exporting Countries Globally and Their Dominance in Numbers
Discover the top 5 tea exporters in the world and learn how they dominate the global tea industry. Get the facts on why these countries are leading the way!
Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to Asia. It has a long history, dating back to around 2700 BC when it was first discovered in China. After water, Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.
Today, Tea is grown in more than 30 countries and exported to over 150 countries worldwide. The top 5 tea-exporting countries are China, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. Together, they account for over 60% of the world's tea exports.
While China and India lead in overall tea manufacture and exports, Sri Lanka is the world's leading exporter of black Tea and Green Tea, accounting for 20% and 18% of global exports, respectively. Sri Lankan teas are known for their high quality and unique flavour profiles. The country produces a wide range of teas, including white, oolong, and flavoured teas.
Now not drifting away from the topic, let's dig into the top-5 exporting nations of Tea globally.
China: Internationally Largest Tea Exporter
China is the world's leading tea exporter, responsible for exporting over 1.3 million metric tons of Tea in 2021. This accounted for approximately 33% of the total global tea trade. Most of China's tea exports are black teas, typically exported to Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Green teas are also popular exports, with destinations including Japan, South Korea, and Turkey. Oolong teas are another type of Chinese Tea that is sought after internationally, with markets in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In terms of value, China's tea exports were worth an estimated $2.4 billion in 2017. This made China the second-largest exporter of Tea by value after Sri Lanka. A large portion of China's tea export revenue comes from black tea sales, which generated $1.3 billion in 2017. Green tea exports were valued at $420 million in the same year while oolong tea exports earned $200 million.
Kenya: Second Largest Tea Exporting nation globally and leader in Africa
Kenya is the second-largest Tea exporting nation globally, behind only China. The country is also the leader in Africa regarding tea production and exports.
Kenya's tea industry is centered around the Kenyan Highlands, which produce some of the finest teas in the world. The Kenyan Highlands have a unique climate that is ideal for growing Tea. The high elevation and ample rainfall allow the tea plants to thrive.
The Kenyan government has strongly emphasized developing the country's tea industry. As a result, Kenya has become one of the world's leading suppliers of high-quality teas. Kenya exports black and green teas, with black Tea accounting for most of the exports.
Kenya's major export markets for Tea include Pakistan, Russia, Sudan, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Kenya's teas are highly sought after by buyers due to their exceptional quality. Kenya's Tea Board works diligently to promote Kenyan teas internationally and to ensure they meet the highest standards.
Sri Lanka: Third Largest nation to export Tea
Sri Lanka is the world's third largest tea exporter, behind China, India, and Kenya. In 2021, Sri Lanka exported 500 million kilograms of Tea worth $732.4 million. The country is home to 20% of the world's tea plantations, and its tea industry employs 1.2 million people.
Sri Lankan tea is characterized by its strong flavor and aroma. The most popular varieties are Ceylon black Tea and Ceylon green Tea. Sri Lanka's climate and soil are ideal for growing Tea, and the country has a long history of producing high-quality Tea.
In recent years, Sri Lanka's tea industry has faced challenges due to political instability and competition from cheaper Indian teas. However, the country's Tea Board is working to promote Sri Lankan tea internationally and improve the quality of its products.
India: The Fourth Largest Tea Exporter Globally
India is the fourth largest tea exporter globally, falling two places from second. In 2021, India exported 800 million tons of Tea, worth $687.9 million. The majority of Indian Tea is black Tea, which is produced in the Assam and Darjeeling regions. India is also a major producer of green and white teas.
The Indian tea industry employs over 3 million people and is important to the country's economy. Tea cultivation in India dates back to the 18th century when the British East India Company introduced it. Today, there are around 3,000 tea plantations in India.
The Indian government has taken steps to support the country's tea industry, including providing financial assistance to small growers and setting up a Tea Board to promote exports. In recent years, there has been growing interested in premium Indian teas from overseas buyers, resulting in higher prices for these teas.
Poland: Fifth largest Tea exporting country in the world
Poland is one of the world's largest Tea exporting countries, with exports totaling up to $262.8 million last year. This makes Poland the 5th highest tea exporter in the world.
The country mainly produces black and green teas, which are exported to countries all around the world. In 2021 alone, Poland sent over 80 percent of its total tea exports to Germany and France. The United Kingdom followed closely after with 6.2 percent of all Polish tea exports being shipped there. Other major destinations for Polish Tea include Spain, Netherlands, and Italy.
Tea production has grown significantly in Poland over recent years due to increased demand from foreign markets for both standard and specialty varieties of Tea. With such a large portion of their total exports going abroad, it is clear that Poland is making an impact on the global tea industry by providing quality products at competitive prices.
Honorable Mentions
There are many other leading Tea exporting countries in the world, including UAE, UK, and Germany. Each of these countries has a long history of producing and exporting high-quality teas.
India is the world's largest producer and exporter of Tea. Indian teas are known for their rich flavor and strong aroma. Sri Lankan teas are also very popular and are often used in blends. Bangladesh is another major producer of Tea, with a focus on green and white teas. Kenyan teas are prized for their bright color and full-bodied flavor. Vietnamese teas are typically light and refreshing, with a delicate flavor.
The United Kingdom is the biggest importer of Tea, followed by the United States. Other major importers include Germany, Russia, Canada, and Japan.
Conclusion
Tea is an important part of many cultures around the world. Tea has become a staple in many countries, from China to India and beyond. We hope that this article has been helpful in understanding which countries are the top 5 tea exporters in the world today. As global trade continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how these countries' rankings evolve and what new nations may enter into the list of major tea exporters for generations to come.
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