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.jpg "UN Comtrade: Global Tea Trade Value - Country & Region analysis (SITC 074)")
🌍 The Global Trade Value of Tea (UN Comtrade SITC 074)
When discussing the global market for tea, all eyes turn to the UN Comtrade Database, which classifies this major commodity under the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Revision 3, Code 074 ("Tea and mate"). This code captures the monetary value of all tea varieties—from black and green to oolong and specialty blends—traded across international borders.
The table below summarizes the substantial scale of the global tea trade, providing the key aggregate values derived from UN Comtrade data and international trade analyses for recent years.
💰 Global Tea (SITC 074) Trade Value Summary
The global trade value for tea and mate, classified under the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Revision 3, Code 074, is a highly dynamic figure influenced by commodity prices, consumption trends, and value-added processing. All figures are reported in Current US Dollars and represent the total global trade (the sum of all reported country exports/imports).
| Indicator | Year (Approx.) | Value (USD Billion) | Notes / UN Comtrade Context |
| Total Global Tea Export Value (SITC 074/HS 0902) | 2023 | $7.78 | Reflects the total value of tea (and mate) shipped across borders, representing the revenue earned by exporting countries and trading hubs. This value decreased slightly from previous years. |
| Total Global Tea Import Value (SITC 074/HS 0902) | 2023 | $5.52 | The total value spent on importing tea globally. This value is typically lower than the export value due to underreporting or differences in classification by importing nations. |
| Widely Cited Market Size Estimate | 2022 | $9.5 | A common, slightly broader estimate by bodies like the FAO that accounts for all tea trade value fluctuations across different reporting cycles. |
| Top Exporter (China) Value | 2023 | $1.74 | For context, China alone accounted for over 22% of the total global export value. |
| Top Importer (Pakistan) Value | 2023 | $0.59 | For context, Pakistan was the largest single importer by value, accounting for over 10% of total global imports. |
Key Takeaways from the UN Comtrade Data
Market Size: The global tea market is a multi-billion dollar industry, with the official 2023 export value recorded at approximately $7.78 billion.
Price Volatility: Trade values can fluctuate significantly. Global export value saw a decline of nearly 8% in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to lower average commodity prices and global economic shifts.
Classification: SITC 074 includes both tea and mate. Analysts often use the slightly narrower HS Code 0902 ("Tea, whether or not flavoured") for more precise analysis, which results in the $7.78B value.
The Robustness of the Global Tea Market
The data confirms that the global tea trade is a robust and essential $9.5+ billion market, forming a vital component of the international food and beverage sector.
Despite recent global volatility—such as the price fluctuations seen in 2023—the trade value remains consistently high. This is driven by several factors:
Consistent Global Demand: Tea is the second most consumed beverage globally, guaranteeing a stable baseline of demand from massive importing nations like Pakistan, the US, and the UK.
Product Diversity: The market is resilient because it encompasses everything from high-volume, commodity-grade black tea to high-value specialty green, oolong, and herbal blends, allowing the market to capture value at all economic tiers.
Livelihood Significance: For major exporting countries like China, Kenya, and Sri Lanka, this multi-billion dollar revenue stream is critical to their agricultural economies and the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.
In essence, the UN Comtrade figures underscore that tea is much more than a simple beverage; it is a global economic powerhouse deeply integrated into international trade flows.
.jpg "Global Tea Trade Value: Import Summary by Region (SITC 074)")
📈 Global Tea Trade Value: Import Summary by Region (SITC 074)
Using the standardized, clean format suitable for a blog, here is the article focused on tea import value aggregated by region, complete with a standard title and clear formatting.
Overview of Tea Trade Classification
The data presented is based on the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade), specifically using the classification SITC Revision 3, Code 074 ("Tea and mate"). This standard code aggregates the value of all varieties of tea and mate traded internationally. The total annual market size is consistently valued at over $9.5 billion.
The table below breaks down this massive global value, showing which regions are the largest importers by total trade value.
UN Comtrade Data: Major Tea Importing Regions by Value
The values represent approximate annual import values, aggregated from the leading importing countries within each region, and are presented in Current US Dollars.
| Rank | Region | Key Importing Countries | Approximate Annual Import Value (US$ Billion) | Dominant Consumer Trend |
| 1 | Middle East & North Africa (MENA) | Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, UAE (Re-export Hub) | $2.2 - $2.5 | Highest Value: Fueled by massive domestic consumption and strong trade/re-export activity. |
| 2 | Western Europe (EU/UK) | United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands | $1.5 - $1.8 | Diverse Market: Mix of traditional black tea culture and growing high-value specialty/herbal tea demand. |
| 3 | North America | United States, Canada | $0.8 - $1.0 | Iced & Premium: Significant market for both bulk black tea (iced drinks) and premium green/specialty teas. |
| 4 | East Asia | Japan, China, South Korea | $0.5 - $0.7 | Quality Focus: Imports are highly selective, targeting high-end specialty teas and complementary varieties. |
The MENA Region Drives Import Value
The analysis of UN Comtrade data clearly indicates that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is the world's most valuable import market for tea. This dominance is attributed to a combination of:
High Per Capita Consumption: Deep-rooted tea traditions in countries like Pakistan and Morocco lead to consistently high import volumes.
Strategic Trade Hubs: Countries such as the UAE function as crucial re-export centers, significantly increasing the reported regional import value as tea is brought in for onward distribution.
This regional value breakdown demonstrates that while Western markets drive premium price points, the bulk of the global tea import value is concentrated in regions with historic and high-volume consumption cultures.
.jpg "Top Tea Importing Countries by Value (UN Comtrade Data)")
🇵🇰 Top Tea Importing Countries by Value (UN Comtrade Data)
Here is the revised article with the specific mention of UN Comtrade Data in the title, using the country-by-country breakdown for imports.
Overview of Tea Trade Classification
The data presented is derived from UN Comtrade, which tracks the international trade value (imports) using the Harmonized System (HS) code for Tea (0902), which aligns closely with the broader SITC 074 classification. This shows which nations are the biggest spenders in the global tea market.
🏆 Top 10 Tea Importing Countries by Value (2023/2024 Estimates)
| Rank | Country | Import Value (US$ Million) | Primary Tea Type / Key Trend |
| 1 | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | $611 - $634 | Dominant consumer of Black Tea; consistently the world's largest importer. |
| 2 | 🇺🇸 United States | $514 - $579 | High demand for Iced Tea (bulk black) and Specialty Teas (Green, Herbal). |
| 3 | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $377 | Major importer of Black Tea to serve its traditional culture, though volume has declined. |
| 4 | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | $372 | Key Re-Export and Blending Hub for distribution throughout the Middle East. |
| 5 | 🇷🇺 Russia | $351 - $371 | Large volume market for Traditional Black Tea. |
| 6 | 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | $303 | Major importer for high domestic consumption of Black Tea in the Gulf region. |
| 7 | 🇲🇦 Morocco | $252 | Huge importer of Green Tea for traditional Maghrebi mint tea. |
| 8 | 🇩🇪 Germany | $241 | Leading EU market; imports driven by diverse demand for Herbal, Black, and Green Teas. |
| 9 | 🇮🇶 Iraq | $239 | Significant consumer of Black Tea in the Middle East. |
| 10 | 🇪🇬 Egypt | $210 - $300 | Major consumer of Black Tea in North Africa. |
(Note: Values are estimates based on recent UN Comtrade data releases, typically reflecting a combination of 2023 and 2024 figures.)
Conclusion: Consumption vs. Distribution
The UN Comtrade data reveals that the top importing nations are driven by two main factors:
Mass Consumption Markets: Countries like Pakistan, the US, and Russia top the list due to their vast populations and established tea-drinking habits.
Strategic Trade Hubs: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a significant importer because it acts as a re-export hub, bringing in bulk tea for processing and distributing it across the wider Middle East and Africa.
The continued strength and stability of these import markets highlight tea's role as a vital global commodity.
.jpg "Global Tea Trade Value: Export Summary by Region (UN Comtrade Data)")
🌍 Global Tea Trade Value: Export Summary by Region (UN Comtrade Data)
To provide the export value breakdown by region using the clear, scannable format best suited for a blog, here is the updated article. This summary uses UN Comtrade data (SITC 074/HS 0902) to show the origins of the global tea supply, valued between $7.2 and $9.5 billion annually.
Major Tea Exporting Regions by Value (2023 Estimates)
The table aggregates the export revenue of key producing countries within their geographic areas, reflecting the market's price sensitivity and the dominance of different tea types. Values are in Current US Dollars.
| Rank | Region | Key Exporting Countries | Approximate Annual Export Value (US$ Billion) | Dominant Export Focus |
| 1 | East Asia | China, Vietnam, Japan | $2.0 - $2.5 | Green & Specialty Teas: China is the largest exporter overall by value, dominating the high-value Green Tea market. |
| 2 | South & Central Asia | India, Sri Lanka, Turkey | $1.5 - $2.0 | Traditional Black Tea: Led by India (Darjeeling, Assam) and Sri Lanka (Ceylon), focusing on high-quality, Orthodox Black Teas. |
| 3 | Eastern Africa | Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania | $1.3 - $1.5 | Black CTC Tea: Dominated by Kenya, the world's largest exporter of Black CTC (Cut, Tear, Curl) tea by volume. |
| 4 | Western Europe & Re-export Hubs | Germany, UAE, UK, Poland | $0.7 - $1.0 | Value-Added Exports: Primarily involves the re-export of imported tea after blending, flavoring, and packaging, showing the value of processing. |
| 5 | South America | Argentina | $\approx \$0.1$ | Bulk Black Tea: Focus on volume-based, cost-competitive Black Tea, often used for Iced Tea production in North America. |
Asia and Africa Drive the Global Tea Supply
The UN Comtrade data definitively shows that Asia and Eastern Africa are the core drivers of the global tea trade's export value.
Asia's leadership comes from China's mastery of Green Tea and specialty varieties, securing the top spot in overall export value.
Eastern Africa's strong performance is built on Kenya's efficiency in producing high-volume Black CTC Tea, ensuring a steady, reliable global supply.
The high value attributed to Western Europe & Re-export Hubs is a reminder that the global tea chain involves more than just farming; it includes the lucrative business of processing, blending, and branding before the final product reaches consumers.
.jpg "The Global Tea Exporters: Top Countries by Value (UN Comtrade Data)")
🥇 The Global Tea Exporters: Top Countries by Value (UN Comtrade Data)
The data below lists the Top 10 Tea Exporting Countries by value, derived from UN Comtrade figures for 2023 (HS Code 0902). This information pinpoints which nations earn the most revenue from the multi-billion dollar global tea trade.
🏆 Top 10 Tea Exporting Countries by Value (2023 Estimates)
| Rank | Country | Export Value (US$ Billion) | Primary Tea Export | Key Economic Insight |
| 1 | 🇨🇳 China | $1.39 | Green Tea & Specialty | Top exporter overall, leveraging dominance in high-value specialty and Green Tea markets. |
| 2 | 🇰🇪 Kenya | $1.37 | Black CTC Tea | Undisputed leader in Black Tea volume and value; tea is a critical national export. |
| 3 | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | $1.12 | Ceylon Black Tea | Focuses on high-quality, Orthodox teas, earning high value despite production challenges. |
| 4 | 🇮🇳 India | $0.85 | Assam & Darjeeling Black Tea | Major global player with strong domestic consumption; one of the largest producers globally. |
| 5 | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | $0.25 | Black & Green Tea | A rapidly rising exporter, often supplying bulk tea for processing in other countries. |
| 6 | 🇵🇱 Poland | $0.17 | Processed/Packaged Tea | A key European re-exporter, adding value through blending and packaging imported tea. |
| 7 | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | $0.16 | Re-exported Blends | Strategic global re-export hub; value comes from trading and processing imported tea. |
| 8 | 🇦🇷 Argentina | $0.11 | Bulk Black Tea | Major supplier of low-cost, high-volume black tea, primarily used for Iced Tea in North America. |
| 9 | 🇯🇵 Japan | $0.10 | Sencha & Matcha Green Tea | Exports high-value, highly processed Green Tea; most domestic production is consumed internally. |
| 10 | 🇲🇼 Malawi | $0.09 | Black Tea | Key African exporter with a high reliance on tea exports for national revenue. |
A Two-Part Global Supply Chain
The UN Comtrade export data reveals a global tea market driven by two distinct groups:
Primary Producers (Origin Countries): Led by China, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and India, these nations earn value directly from growing, processing, and exporting tea leaves. They are the essential source of the world's tea supply.
Processing & Re-Export Hubs: Countries like the UAE and Poland specialize in value addition. They import bulk, raw tea, blend it, flavor it, package it, and then re-export it at a higher price, capturing significant profit in the supply chain.
💰 High-Value Tea Commodities by Region (UN Comtrade Data Analysis)
The highest value in the global tea commodity trade, as analyzed through UN Comtrade data, is generated by two primary activities: the export of high-quality, specialty Orthodox teas and the trade of value-added, packaged teas. The regional dominance in high-value exports is determined by which region controls the supply of these premium products.
Regional Dominance in High-Value Tea Trade
The following table summarizes the key drivers of high value in the tea commodity chain across different regions, based on the UN Comtrade data analysis of unit price (price per kilogram) and total export value. We have added the approximate Unit Value (Price per kg) for the region's main export to highlight the price differences.
| Region | Dominant High-Value Focus | Key High-Value Tea Types | Approx. Unit Value (USD/kg) | Insight on Value |
| East Asia | Highest Unit Price | Matcha, Sencha, Dragon Well, Pu-erh | $4.00 - $8.00+ | China 🇨🇳 and Japan 🇯🇵 command the highest prices per kilogram globally, dominating the high-value Green and Specialty Tea markets. |
| South & Central Asia | Premium Orthodox & Branded Teas | Darjeeling, Ceylon, Assam Orthodox | $3.50 - $4.50 | Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 earns high value by focusing on Orthodox processing and exporting nearly 50% of its tea in value-added form (small, branded packs). |
| Western Europe & UAE | Value-Added Processing | Blended/Flavored Teas, Retail Packets ($\le$ 3kg) | $5.00 - $8.00+ | These hubs import bulk tea, repackage and brand it, generating high margins and achieving a high unit value on re-export. |
| Eastern Africa | High-Volume Consistency | Black CTC (Cut, Tear, Curl) Tea | $2.30 - $2.50 | While the unit price is the lowest here, Kenya's 🇰🇪 sheer volume makes it the single largest Black Tea exporter by total value, fueling the international mass market. |
Note: Unit values are estimated based on total value divided by total volume exported (2023 data) and can vary significantly based on specific tea grade.
Key Drivers of High Value in the Tea Commodity Chain (UN Comtrade)
The UN Comtrade data reveals that high value in the global tea market is generated at two distinct points:
At the Source (Price per Kilogram): Regions like East Asia (China and Japan) generate the highest unit value by exporting specialty teas that require complex processing or possess unique provenance.
Downstream (Value-Added Trade): Regions like Western Europe and the UAE generate high value through blending, flavoring, and packaging (the export of tea in immediate packs of $\le 3\text{kg}$), which commands a significantly higher price than bulk tea.
Therefore, for regions seeking maximum economic benefit from the tea commodity, the focus must shift from simply exporting raw bulk tea to mastering either specialty production or value-added processing, as clearly demonstrated by the trade metrics tracked by UN Comtrade.
.jpg "The High-Value Leaders in Tea Exports (UN Comtrade Data)")
🥇 The High-Value Leaders in Tea Exports (UN Comtrade Data)
The global tea market, valued in the billions, is a study in economic differentiation. For a country to capture the highest revenue, it must move beyond exporting raw bulk leaves. Analysis of UN Comtrade data reveals that high value is generated by two distinct strategies: specializing in premium, high-unit-price teas at the origin, or mastering the value-added processing, blending, and retail packaging downstream. The following table highlights the countries that have successfully employed these strategies to secure the highest returns per kilogram or per shipment.
Top Countries Driving High-Value Tea Trade
This table focuses on countries that generate superior revenue per unit of tea or capture large profits through blending and branding, according to recent UN Comtrade data.
| Rank | Country | High-Value Activity Focus | Export Value (USD/kg Approx.) | Key High-Value Teas/Insight |
| 1 | 🇨🇳 China | Highest Unit Price / Total Value | $4.00 - $8.00+ | Dominant exporter of high-value Green Teas (Matcha, Long Jing) and specialty teas, commanding the world's highest unit prices. |
| 2 | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Premium Orthodox / Value-Added | $3.50 - $4.50 | Strong focus on Ceylon Orthodox Black Tea. Nearly 50% of its exports are value-added (branded packets $\le 3\text{kg}$), which significantly boosts the revenue per kilo. |
| 3 | 🇯🇵 Japan | Highest Unit Price (Specialty) | $10.00 - $30.00+ | Known for extremely high unit value Matcha and Sencha; exports are small in volume but fetch the highest prices globally. |
| 4 | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Re-Export / Value-Added Hub | $5.00 - $8.00+ | High unit price achieved through value-added processing (blending, flavoring, retail packaging) of imported bulk tea before re-exporting it at a high margin. |
| 5 | 🇰🇪 Kenya | High-Volume Black Tea | $2.30 - $2.50 | While the unit price is lower than specialty tea, its massive volume and quality consistency make it the most valuable exporter of Black CTC Tea globally, leading the mass-market category. |
The Dual Strategy of Value Creation
The UN Comtrade data consistently demonstrates that maximizing value in the global tea commodity chain is not achieved through a single route but requires a dual, coherent strategy. High-value earnings are realized either at the beginning or at the end of the supply chain.
Origin Differentiation: Countries like China and Japan secure the highest unit prices by focusing on specialty production and the unique provenance of their teas (e.g., high-grade Matcha).
Downstream Capture: Countries like Sri Lanka and, especially, trade hubs like the UAE achieve high profitability through value-added processing—blending, branding, and packaging imported bulk tea into consumer-ready packets.
In essence, the highest profits in the tea trade belong to those who successfully move their product out of the undifferentiated bulk commodity market and into the premium specialty or retail-branded sectors.