%20Global%20Tea%20Trade%20Value%20by%20Region%20and%20Country%20(2023).jpg "UN Comtrade Data (HS 0902): Global Tea Trade Value by Region and Country (2023)")
☕ Global Tea Trade: Value and Trends (Based on UN Comtrade STIC/HS Data)
The global trade of tea, a staple beverage worldwide, is a significant component of international commerce, particularly for several developing economies. While UN Comtrade primarily uses the Harmonized System (HS) for detailed product classification, the search results provide relevant data often categorized under the HS Code 0902 (Tea), which broadly aligns with the concept of "tea" trade value.
Recent data shows the substantial value and slight volatility in the international tea market. The total global trade value for all products under HS 0902 (Tea) reached $7.24 billion in 2023, marking an 8.72% decrease from the $7.93 billion recorded in 2022.
Key Market Players
Tea exports represent crucial income for major producing nations, with several countries dominating the global export market. Likewise, a few major countries drive global demand as leading importers.
Top Global Tea Exporters (2023 - HS 0902)
| Rank | Country | Export Value (Billion USD) | Trade Type |
| 1 | China | $1.39 | Exporter |
| 2 | Kenya | $1.37 | Exporter |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | $1.12 | Exporter |
Note: For Black Tea (HS 090240) in 2023, Kenya was the largest exporter at $1.30 billion, followed by Sri Lanka and India.
Top Global Tea Importers (2023 - HS 0902)
| Rank | Country | Import Value (Million USD) | Trade Type |
| 1 | Pakistan | $611 | Importer |
| 2 | United States | $514 | Importer |
| 3 | Russia | $371 | Importer |
Trade Dynamics and Market Trends
The trade in tea is characterized by a strong concentration in both production and export. China, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka account for approximately 75% of global tea output.
Trade Balance: Countries like Kenya, China, and Sri Lanka maintain significant trade surpluses in tea, highlighting their role as primary global suppliers. Conversely, major importers like Pakistan, the United States, and Russia carry the largest trade deficits.
Product Segmentation: Within the broader HS 0902 category, the most traded sub-products in 2023 were:
Black Tea (Fermented/Partly, >3kg packages): $3.39 Billion
Black Tea (Fermented/Partly, <3kg packages): $1.95 Billion
Green Tea (Unfermented, <3kg packages): $1.06 Billion
Socio-Economic Importance: For major producers, the tea sector is vital. For example, the Kenyan tea sector accounts for 26% of the country's annual export earnings, supporting millions of livelihoods. Similarly, tea accounts for over 8% of the export share for countries like Kenya and Sri Lanka.
The global tea trade remains a dynamic market, susceptible to factors like changing consumer preferences (e.g., growing demand for specialty and organic teas), climate conditions affecting production, and global economic volatility.
.jpg "UN Comtrade: Global Tea Import Value by Region (HS 0902)")
🌍 UN Comtrade: Global Tea Import Value by Region (HS 0902)
The global trade in tea (classified under HS 0902) remains vital, with a total estimated import market value of approximately $5.45 billion in 2023. The import landscape is heavily influenced by regional consumption habits, demographics, and economic factors.
📊 Major Regional Tea Import Value (Estimated, 2023)
The following table aggregates the trade value of the largest tea importing countries within their respective regions to show the general distribution of global tea demand.
| Region | Key Importing Countries (Examples) | Estimated Aggregate Import Value (USD Millions) | Regional Demand Characteristics |
| Asia / Middle East | Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, China | > $1,700 | High volume, traditional consumption; driven by large populations and cultural staple status. |
| Europe | United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, France (EU Aggregate) | > $1,500 | Significant traditional black tea markets; increasing demand for specialty, organic, and green teas. |
| North America | United States, Canada | > $750 | Strong growth in Ready-To-Drink (RTD) and health-focused green/herbal/specialty teas. |
| Africa | Egypt, Morocco, Sudan | > $350 | High per capita consumption; essential staple, particularly for green and black tea varieties. |
Note: The values above are estimated aggregates based on top individual country data available for HS 0902 for 2023. These figures are indicative and subject to final UN Comtrade reporting of all member nations.
Key Regional Demand Drivers
Asia/Middle East continues to dominate the import market in sheer volume, driven by high per capita consumption in countries like Pakistan (the largest individual importer by value) and cultural significance.
Europe shows a nuanced market, with traditional black tea strongholds (UK, Russia) co-existing with a rising trend in premium, specialty, and green tea consumption across continental Europe.
North America is a high-value market, characterized by product diversification and a focus on health and convenience (RTD tea).
⭐ Conclusion: Trends in the Global Tea Trade
Based on UN Comtrade data and broader market analysis for 2023, the global tea trade presents a complex and resilient picture:
Demand Shift: While traditional Western markets (parts of Europe and North America) have seen a long-term decline in bulk black tea consumption, this has been offset by robust demand growth in Asia/Middle East and Africa, cementing their role as critical import regions.
Value-Addition Focus: The long-term challenge for the sector—surplus production of plain-quality tea and subsequent low bulk prices—is driving a strategic shift. Major producers and exporters are increasingly focusing on value-added products (specialty teas, organic, high-quality orthodox, and RTD formats) to capture higher-margin consumer segments, particularly in developed markets.
Sustainability and Climate: The tea sector faces formidable challenges, including climate change impacting production yields and a growing necessity to address sustainability and fair pricing for the smallholder farmers who produce the majority of the world's tea. Future trade growth will be tied to how effectively the industry navigates these quality, environmental, and ethical complexities.
.jpg "UN Comtrade: Top Tea Importers by Country (HS 0902)")
🫖 UN Comtrade: Top Tea Importers by Country (HS 0902)
The global tea trade, classified under the Harmonized System (HS) code 0902 (Tea, whether or not flavoured), is driven by the demand from a set of key importing countries. The data below reflects the import values for 2023, showcasing the top destinations for tea shipments globally.
📈 Top 10 Global Tea Importing Countries by Value (2023)
| Rank | Country | Import Value (USD Millions) | Share of World Imports (Approx.) | Primary Trade Focus |
| 1 | Pakistan | $611 | 8.4% | High-volume Black Tea |
| 2 | United States | $514 | 7.1% | Specialty, RTD, Black & Green Tea |
| 3 | Russia | $371 | 5.1% | Traditional Black Tea |
| 4 | United Kingdom | $360 - $377 | ~5.0% | Traditional Black Tea, Blends |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | $300 - $372 | ~4.9% | Re-export/Trade Hub, Regional Consumption |
| 6 | Saudi Arabia | $302 | 4.2% | Black Tea Consumption |
| 7 | Morocco | $252 | 3.5% | High-volume Green Tea |
| 8 | Germany | $241 | 3.3% | Specialty, Organic, and Green Tea |
| 9 | Iraq | $239 | 3.3% | Traditional Black Tea Consumption |
| 10 | Egypt, Arab Rep. | $210 | 2.9% | Black Tea Consumption |
Note: Import values for the entire HS 0902 category (including all black, green, and flavored tea) totaled approximately $7.24 billion in 2023. Figures are based on UN Comtrade and closely aligned sources for 2023 data and may vary slightly depending on the specific reporting date.
Key Market Characteristics
Dominance of Traditional Consumers: Countries like Pakistan and the United Kingdom maintain their position as massive consumers, with Pakistan being the largest single importer by value in 2023, primarily for high-volume black tea.
The Specialty Tea Market: The United States and Germany represent high-value markets, showing significant demand not just for bulk tea but also for premium, specialty, green, and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) tea products.
Trade Hubs: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) often ranks highly due to its strong domestic demand and its crucial role as a re-export hub for distributing tea to the broader Middle East and surrounding regions.
Unique Focus: Morocco stands out as one of the world's largest importers of Green Tea, which is integral to its national tea culture (e.g., Moroccan mint tea).
⭐ Conclusion: Demand Drivers
The structure of the global tea import market is divided between traditional, high-volume consumption markets (Asia/Middle East, Russia, parts of Africa) and high-value, quality-driven specialty markets (North America, Western Europe).
The continued dominance of the top 10 importing countries underscores the vital role tea plays as a global commodity and a national beverage in diverse cultures. Future market growth is expected to be influenced by rising consumption in emerging markets and the increasing preference for premium, sustainable, and convenient tea products (such as single-origin and certified organic teas) in developed countries.
.jpg "UN Comtrade: Global Tea Export Value by Region (HS 0902)")
🌎 UN Comtrade: Global Tea Export Value by Region (HS 0902)
The global tea export market, classified under HS 0902 (Tea, whether or not flavoured), is heavily concentrated in specific regions where tea cultivation is commercially viable. The global export value for tea totaled $7.24 billion in 2023.
The market is dominated by Asia (home to the largest producers like China and India) and Africa (led by Kenya and Sri Lanka). The table below aggregates the trade value of major tea-exporting countries to provide an estimated regional breakdown.
📊 Major Regional Tea Export Value (Estimated, 2023)
| Region | Key Exporting Countries (Examples) | Estimated Aggregate Export Value (USD Billions) | Regional Export Specialization |
| Asia (East/South/SE) | China, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Indonesia | > $3.5 | China: Green Tea, Black Tea, Specialty. Sri Lanka: Orthodox Black Tea, value-added. India: CTC & Orthodox Black Tea. |
| Africa | Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania | > $1.4 | Kenya: CTC Black Tea (high volume and essential foreign exchange earner). |
| Europe | Germany, Poland, United Kingdom | > $0.7 | Re-export and Value-added Processing. These countries import bulk tea, process/blend it (e.g., flavoring, packaging), and re-export the higher-value final product. |
| South America | Argentina | > $0.07 | Bulk Black Tea (e.g., for iced tea production in the US). |
Note: The values above are estimated aggregates based on the top individual country data for HS 0902 in 2023. Due to varying methods for regional aggregation and the inclusion of re-export hubs (like the UAE, which is often listed as a major exporter but does not grow tea), these are indicative figures focusing on producer regions.
Key Export Dynamics by Region
Asia's Dominance (China, Sri Lanka, India):
China is consistently the largest global exporter by value ($1.39 billion in 2023), capitalizing on its vast production base for both Green Tea and specialty teas.
Sri Lanka ($1.12 billion) focuses on high-quality Orthodox Black Tea and is a major player in value-added exports (e.g., packaged and flavored teas).
India ($707 million) is a major producer of both CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) and Orthodox teas, with significant domestic consumption that limits its total export volume share relative to its production size.
Africa's Strength (Kenya):
Kenya ($1.37 billion) is Africa's powerhouse and is often the largest global exporter of Black Tea by volume. Tea is its leading agricultural export, providing essential foreign exchange revenue. The primary export is high-quality CTC black tea sold in bulk at the Mombasa auction.
Europe's Role (Re-export Hubs):
Countries like Germany and Poland are significant exporters not because they grow tea, but because they are key re-export and processing hubs. They import bulk tea from Asia and Africa, blend it, package it, and add value before selling it to other European and global markets. This highlights the importance of the logistics and value-added services in the global tea trade chain.
⭐ Conclusion: Global Export Structure
The UN Comtrade data for HS 0902 clearly shows that the global tea export structure is a duopoly of producer regions (Asia and Africa), followed by a substantial secondary market driven by European re-export and blending expertise. The future competitiveness of these regions will depend heavily on:
Diversification: Asian producers are investing heavily in value-added and specialty teas to capture higher prices.
Logistics: African producers, particularly Kenya, are focused on maintaining high-volume efficiency while seeking to increase their own value-added share to boost farmer incomes.
Climate Resilience: All key producer regions face increasing risks from climate change, making sustainable cultivation a crucial factor for long-term export stability.
.jpg "UN Comtrade: Top Tea Exporters by Country (HS 0902)")
🚢 UN Comtrade: Top Tea Exporters by Country (HS 0902)
The global tea export market (HS 0902) is highly concentrated, with the top three producing nations in Asia and Africa accounting for over half of the world's total export value, which was $7.24 billion in 2023.
The list below highlights the major players, distinguishing between primary producer exporters (who grow and process the tea) and re-export/value-added hubs (who import bulk tea, process it, and sell it at a higher value).
📈 Top Global Tea Exporting Countries by Value (2023)
| Rank | Country | Export Value (USD Billions) | Primary Export Focus | Export Type |
| 1 | China | $1.39 | Green Tea, Specialty, Black Tea | Producer |
| 2 | Kenya | $1.37 | CTC Black Tea (high-volume) | Producer |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | $1.12 | Orthodox Black Tea, Value-added Packaging | Producer |
| 4 | India | $0.71 | CTC & Orthodox Black Tea, Domestic Consumption high | Producer |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | $0.48 | Blending, Packaging, Re-export to Middle East/Africa | Re-Export Hub |
| 6 | Poland | $0.25 | Blending, Packaging, Re-export to Europe | Re-Export Hub |
| 7 | Germany | $0.23 | Blending, Packaging, Specialty Tea | Re-Export Hub |
| 8 | Japan | $0.21 | High-Value Green Tea (Matcha, Sencha) | Producer |
| 9 | United Kingdom | $0.12 | Blending, Branding, Re-export | Re-Export Hub |
| 10 | Vietnam | $0.18 | Black Tea, Green Tea | Producer |
Note: Data is based on UN Comtrade and closely aligned sources for HS 0902 (Tea, whether or not flavoured) for 2023. Values are rounded.
Key Export Dynamics
The Big Three Producers: China, Kenya, and Sri Lanka form the backbone of the global supply chain, consistently leading in export value.
China dominates the Green Tea market.
Kenya is the largest exporter of bulk Black Tea (specifically the CTC variety).
Sri Lanka excels in high-quality Orthodox Black Tea and packaged, value-added products (known as Ceylon Tea).
Re-export and Value-Addition: Countries without significant tea production, such as the UAE, Poland, Germany, and the UK, are prominent exporters. This is due to their strength in:
Blending and Branding: They import bulk tea from producer countries, blend it to create specific branded products, and then re-export it at a higher price.
Logistics Hubs: The UAE serves as a major distribution point for the Middle East and Africa.
India's Role: While the world's second-largest producer of tea, India ranks fourth in export value. This is due to its massive domestic consumption, which absorbs approximately 80% of its total production.
⭐ Conclusion: Producer vs. Processor
The top global tea export list is a mix of agricultural giants and processing/logistics experts.
Origin of Value: The majority of the primary export value originates from the Producer countries (China, Kenya, Sri Lanka, India) who depend on tea exports for a significant share of their foreign revenue (e.g., Kenya).
Added Value: The presence of Re-export Hubs (UAE, Poland, Germany) underscores a crucial trend: the higher profit margins are often found in the processing, branding, and packaging of tea rather than in the raw commodity trade.
.jpg "UN Comtrade: Most Valuable Tea Export Category by Region (HS 0902)")
🥇 UN Comtrade: Most Valuable Tea Export Category by Region (HS 0902)
The most valuable export category of tea varies significantly by region, reflecting the differences in tea cultivation, processing technology, and traditional specialties. Globally, Black Tea categories constitute the largest share of trade value, but Green Tea is the most valuable export for the world's leading tea producer.
The table below breaks down the dominant and highest-value tea categories (at the HS 6-digit level) exported by the primary tea-exporting regions, based on 2023 UN Comtrade data for the HS 0902 chapter.
| Region | Most Valuable Export Category (HS 6-digit) | Estimated 2023 Global Export Value (Category Total) | Regional Drivers |
| Africa | Black Tea (Fermented/Partly, > 3kg packages) - HS 090240 | $3.39 Billion | Kenya is the largest exporter of this bulk, high-volume Black Tea (mostly CTC variety), making it the most valuable category for the continent. |
| Asia (East) | Green Tea (Unfermented, < 3kg packages) - HS 090210 | $1.06 Billion | China dominates global Green Tea exports, making this the most valuable segment for East Asia, often sold in consumer-ready packaging. |
| Asia (South/SE) | Black Tea (Fermented/Partly, < 3kg packages) - HS 090230 | $1.95 Billion | Sri Lanka and India are key exporters, focusing on value-added, packaged Black Tea (e.g., branded Ceylon Tea) to capture higher margins. |
| Europe | Black Tea (Fermented/Partly, > 3kg packages) - HS 090240 | $3.39 Billion | While not a producer, the re-export of bulk Black Tea (imported, blended, and re-exported) makes this the highest value category flowing out of European hubs like Germany and Poland. |
🔄 Key Export Dynamics by Region (HS 0902)
The core dynamics defining the most valuable tea export categories (HS 0902) across the major global regions revolve around the tension between commodity volume and value-added specialization.
1. Black Tea Bulk Dominance (HS 090240)
Category: Black tea (fermented/partly) in packings of $> 3$ kg (Bulk).
Regional Dynamic: This category is the economic backbone of Africa, particularly Kenya. Their strategy is built on high-volume, highly efficient production of CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) Black Tea.
Role in Trade: This bulk tea functions as the raw commodity essential for blenders and packers in Europe and the Middle East, serving as the raw material for mass-market products like tea bags. Kenya is the single largest exporter in this category globally.
2. Packaged Black Tea and Value Capture (HS 090230)
Category: Black tea (fermented/partly) in immediate packings of $\leq 3$ kg (Packaged).
Regional Dynamic: This is a crucial value driver for South Asian producers like Sri Lanka and is the resulting product from European re-export hubs (e.g., Germany, Poland).
Role in Trade: By moving from bulk to consumer-ready packaging, exporters capture higher profit margins and exercise brand control (e.g., "Ceylon Tea"). This represents a conscious effort to participate in the downstream processing of the tea.
3. Green Tea Specialization (HS 090210)
Category: Green tea (unfermented) in immediate packings of $\leq 3$ kg (Packaged).
Regional Dynamic: This category is the most valuable for East Asia, driven by the global dominance of China.
Role in Trade: This focus signals a strategy based on specialty and origin. China capitalizes on the global shift toward premium, health-conscious teas by exporting high-end, packaged varieties, commanding higher unit prices compared to commodity black tea.
Strategic Dynamic: Bulk vs. Value-Add
The primary strategic dynamic is the choice between two paths to revenue generation:
| Strategy | Focus | Highest Value Category Example | Key Exporter Example |
| Volume/Bulk | Quantity and low unit cost. Maximizing the amount of raw material sold. | HS 090240 (Bulk Black Tea) | Kenya (producer) |
| Value-Added | Branding, packaging, and specialization. Maximizing the price per kilogram. | HS 090210 (Packaged Green Tea) | China (producer) |
The most valuable export category for a region directly reflects its strategic decision regarding its role in the global tea supply chain.
⭐ Conclusion: Value Generation
The UN Comtrade data reveals a dual nature in the tea export market:
Volume Value (Africa/Bulk): Regions like Africa generate immense export value through the sheer volume and quality of their bulk Black Tea (HS 090240).
Specialty/Value-Added Value (Asia/Europe): Regions like Asia (China's specialty Green Tea and Sri Lanka's packaged Black Tea) and Europe (re-export hubs) generate value through differentiation, branding, and final-stage processing.
.jpg "UN Comtrade: Top Tea Exporters and Most Valuable Export Categories by Country (2023)")
📊 UN Comtrade: Top Tea Exporters and Most Valuable Export Categories by Country (2023)
The global tea trade, classified under the Harmonized System (HS) code 0902 (Tea, whether or not flavoured), involves a complex balance between high-volume producers and value-added processors. The total global tea export value reached $7.24 billion in 2023.
The following table details the total export value for the top global exporters and identifies the single most valuable export category (at the HS 6-digit level) for the three largest producer nations.
I. Top 10 Global Tea Exporters by Total Value (HS 0902, 2023)
| Rank | Country | Total Export Value (USD Billions) | Primary Role |
| 1 | China | $1.39 | Producer (Green & Specialty Tea) |
| 2 | Kenya | $1.37 | Producer (Bulk Black Tea) |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | $1.12 | Producer (Orthodox & Value-added Tea) |
| 4 | India | $0.71 | Producer (Black Tea, High Domestic Consumption) |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | $0.48 | Re-export Hub (Blending & Packaging) |
| 6 | Poland | $0.25 | Re-export Hub (Blending & Packaging) |
| 7 | Germany | $0.23 | Re-export Hub (Blending & Specialty) |
| 8 | Japan | $0.21 | Producer (High-Value Green Tea) |
| 9 | Vietnam | $0.18 | Producer (Black & Green Tea) |
| 10 | United Kingdom | $0.12 | Re-export Hub (Branding & Packaging) |
II. Most Valuable Export Category by Top Producer Country (2023)
The highest-earning category for a country reveals its specialization and primary strategy in the global market.
| Country | Most Valuable Export Category (HS 6-digit) | Product Description | Category Export Value (USD Millions) | Strategic Focus |
| Kenya | HS 090240 | Black tea (fermented/partly), in packings of $> 3$ kg (Bulk) | $\approx \$1,300$ | Volume Commodity: High-volume export of CTC Black Tea to blenders. |
| China | HS 090210 | Green tea (unfermented), in immediate packings of $\leq 3$ kg (Packaged) | $\approx \$1,020$ | Value-Added Specialty: Dominance in packaged Green Tea, securing higher margins. |
| Sri Lanka | HS 090240 | Black tea (fermented/partly), in packings of $> 3$ kg (Bulk) | $\approx \$619$ | Dual Focus: Strong revenue from both bulk Orthodox tea and highly branded, packaged tea (HS 090230 is $\approx \$615$ million). |
Conclusion
The UN Comtrade data for tea exports demonstrates a segmented global market:
Producer Concentration: The source of the commodity is heavily concentrated in Asia and Africa, with Kenya, China, and Sri Lanka driving the majority of primary export value.
Value-Chain Capture: The most successful export strategies vary: Kenya relies on efficient volume (bulk), while China captures value through specialized products (packaged Green Tea). Sri Lanka effectively splits its focus between bulk supply and value-added branding.
Role of Re-Exporters: Countries like the UAE and Germany play a vital role as intermediate hubs, adding value through blending, flavoring, and packaging before re-exporting the final consumer product.
⭐ Final Sip: The Global Tea Money Map Conclusion
The UN Comtrade data for tea (HS 0902) paints a picture of a vibrant, competitive, and highly strategic global market.
The key takeaway is that the tea trade is no longer just about who can grow the most leaves; it's about how they add value and differentiate their product.
Three Core Strategies Driving Tea Export Wealth
High-Volume Bulk Power (The Kenyan Model):
Strategy: Focus on maximum efficiency in producing Black Tea (HS 090240).
Result: Kenya dominates by exporting massive volumes of the raw commodity used in tea bags and blending worldwide. It provides the essential, high-volume raw material for the rest of the world.
Specialty and Value-Added (The Chinese Model):
Strategy: Focus on Packaged Green Tea (HS 090210) and specialty varieties.
Result: China secures higher prices by selling tea that is already branded and packaged for consumers. This targets the growing global demand for premium, organic, and health-focused teas.
The Middleman Profit (The European Hubs):
Strategy: Import bulk tea, blend, flavor, and package it.
Result: Countries like the UAE and Germany, despite growing no tea, appear as major exporters. They prove that the highest profits often lie not in farming, but in branding, processing, and logistics—the stages that transform raw tea into a shelf-ready product.
The Bottom Line
The global tea market remains resilient, with demand stabilizing in traditional markets (like the UK) and exploding in emerging markets (like Pakistan and the Middle East).
For producer nations, the future of wealth generation hinges on moving down the value chain. Those who successfully shift from selling mere commodity (bulk tea) to selling finished, branded goods (like Sri Lanka's packaged Ceylon Tea) are best positioned to capture the highest possible revenue from your next cup of tea.
