Tea is the most popular prepared beverage on the planet, beloved for its rich variety and health benefits.
Aside from simply being good for health, tea is also an important commodity that supports around nine million small-scale farmers around the world, as well as millions more people involved in connected industries and this ultimately fosters economic growth and development.
Did you know that, as well as green and black, there are more than a thousand tea varieties brewed in over 5 billion cups every day all over the world?The global tea market is registering continual growth, mainly due to the wide availability of the product.
Tea production statistics
- Global tea production in 2023 showed an increase of 3.2% compared to 2022, reaching 6.7 million metric tons (MMT), according to the latest data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
- In 2024, the value of the global tea market hit US$25.6 billion, according to Research and Markets.
- Experts anticipate that the market will continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% at least until 2032.
Experts believe that the black tea market will grow in the medium term, but its pace will then slow down. Meanwhile, for green tea, faster growth is anticipated, driven by China’s domestic market.
Top tea-producing countries
Boasting huge levels of supply and demand, China remains the leader when it comes to the largest tea market on a global scale.
India ranks second on the list and plays an important role in the global market, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
The four largest tea producers between 2015 and 2023 (in metric tons)
Source: statista.com
China increased its tea production from over 3.18 MMT in 2022 to around 3.25 MMT in 2023, and its tea exports in 2023 were valued at US$1.74 billion.
Let’s take a closer look at these tea-producing nations:
China
In many cultures, including Chinese, tea is not simply an everyday beverage, it is considered to be a bridge that can connect the younger generations to the wisdom of the elders, one steaming cup at a time.
The latest data shows that China accounted for over 50% of global tea production in 2024, an increase of 5% from 2023.
Four provinces, Fujian, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou, account for half of the nation’s overall tea production.
The general trends for tea in China seem promising with annual average production levels predicted to increase by between 4.5% and 5%.
India
Not only is India among the largest tea growers (1.37 MMT of tea per year), it also holds one of the leading positions in terms of tea consumption with around 80% of all the tea grown in India being consumed within the country.
For the most part, the northeastern region, namely the states of Assam and West Bengal, were the largest contributors to tea production in 2023.
- The Assam state produces tea in two areas: the Assam Valley and Cachar.
- The three main areas in West Bengal that produce the most tea are Dooars, Terai, and Darjeeling.
Kenya
With an 8.6% share of global tea production, Africa’s Kenya ranks third among the biggest tea producers, producing 570,000 metric tons in 2023.
In addition, Kenya is among the largest tea exporters, exporting 594,500 metric tons of tea that generated revenue of 181 billion Kenyan shillings (US$1.35 billion) in 2024.
Sri Lanka
Today, Ceylon tea is the major agricultural export product for Sri Lanka, and around 1 million people are employed in the sector, according to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.
Tea plantations occupy around 4% of Sri Lanka’s total land area of 65,610 square kilometers with most tea-growing regions located in the southern inland regions and central highlands. The country exports most of its tea and in 2024 exports were valued at US$1.45 billion.
Final word
Tea currently provides a living for approximately 13 million people worldwide, according to the FAO. Since many tea producers are small-scale farmers, this agricultural crop plays an important role in rural development, helping people to escape poverty and ensuring food security.
On average, around 75% of tea is consumed within the borders of the country where it is produced. Nevertheless, it is a commodity that is traded in large quantities, with the tea industry experiencing continual growth due to high global demand and popularity.
