Turkey exports 2,602 tonnes of tea to 108 markets in first half of 2026
Turkey exported 2,602 tonnes of tea worth $17.54 million during January-June 2026, according to the Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association. Belgium was the largest destination, while Rize generated 44% of national tea export revenue.
Tea shipments reach 108 international markets
Turkey exported 2,602 tonnes of tea to 108 countries, autonomous regions and free zones during the first six months of 2026, generating revenue of $17,538,005. The figures, reported by Sabah from data supplied by the Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association, show a geographically broad export program centered on European demand.
The January-June results translate into an average declared export value of approximately $6.74 per kilogram. Although the available data do not provide a year-on-year comparison or a breakdown by tea variety, the value-to-volume ratio indicates that Turkey is selling beyond the lowest-priced bulk segment. Product format, processing, packaging and destination mix may all affect the average.
Access to 108 markets also reduces dependence on any single destination at the level of geographic coverage. Revenue remains more concentrated, however, with three leading markets accounting for a substantial share of the reported total. Importers assessing Turkish supply will therefore need to distinguish between the program's wide market reach and the commercial weight of its main European buyers.
Belgium and the United Kingdom lead demand
Belgium was the largest destination in the first half, purchasing Turkish tea worth $5,391,866. That represented about 31% of Turkey's total tea export revenue for the period. Belgium's position may reflect both domestic consumption and its role as a European logistics and distribution market, although the source data do not separate final demand from onward trade.
The United Kingdom ranked second with purchases of $3,507,203. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus followed with $1,235,560. Combined, these three destinations generated $10,134,629, or nearly 58% of total tea export revenue. The figures underline the importance of European and nearby regional markets to Turkish exporters despite shipments reaching more than 100 destinations.
For buyers, the concentration creates both efficiency and exposure. Established sales channels in Belgium and the United Kingdom can support regular orders and distribution, but changes in demand, inventories or retail pricing in those markets could have a noticeable effect on Turkish export receipts. No information was provided on contract prices, shipment schedules or the split between packaged and bulk tea.
Rize supplies 44% of export revenue
Rize, Turkey's main tea-producing center on the eastern Black Sea coast, exported 1,575 tonnes to 20 countries during the six-month period. Its shipments earned $7,685,003, equivalent to 44% of Turkey's national tea export revenue. Belgium was also the leading destination for exports originating in Rize.
Rize accounted for roughly 61% of national export volume but 44% of revenue. Based on the reported totals, tea shipped from Rize averaged about $4.88 per kilogram, below the approximate national average. The difference could reflect product mix, packaging, shipment composition or exports registered through other provinces, but the published figures do not provide enough detail to identify the cause.
The results confirm that Turkey's tea trade combines a concentrated production base with an unusually wide destination network. Sector representatives cited by Sabah aim to expand exports further by entering new markets. For importers and distributors, the next indicators will be whether exporters can increase volumes outside their leading European destinations and whether higher-value packaged or specialty products raise revenue without weakening price competitiveness.
