Fermented or partly fermented black tea market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Russian fermented black tea market remained stable at around 94 thousand tonnes. State-owned companies continued to influence import and distribution, while new product segments with flavorings and aromatized teas emerged, adding variety without drastically altering total volume. The situation changed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic increased at-home consumption, pushing the market volume to 107 thousand tonnes and accelerating a shift towards online sales.

Market growth continued, reaching a peak of 122 thousand tonnes in 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by geopolitical tensions and sanctions from 2022 onwards, which encouraged a greater reliance on domestic production. Concurrently, major market players invested in modernizing packaging technologies and production facilities, while consumer preferences increasingly favored premium and high-quality tea varieties.

In 2024, the market volume contracted sharply to 98 thousand tonnes, with production also on a downward trend. This decline coincided with a sustained increase in producer prices, which had risen by over 50% since 2021, and the implementation of new mandatory labeling and traceability requirements that added operational pressures for market participants.

Production fermented or partly fermented black tea in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia's production of fermented or partly fermented black tea has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 124.2 K t, marking a significant 10.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 22%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 99.9 K t, which saw a decline of 1.9%. In contrast, 2020 recorded the largest increase at 12.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports fermented or partly fermented black tea from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Russia's exports of fermented or partly fermented black tea have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 17 968 t, up 5.0% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, the main buyers of Russia's fermented or partly fermented black tea were Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, accounting for 23.7%, 23.2%, and 12.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 58.9% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Russia's foreign supplies of fermented or partly fermented black tea have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports in value terms reached 94 963 K $ US, showing a steady gain of 8.3% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 15%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine consistently remained the top destinations for Russia's exports in value terms, with shares of 24.5%, 19.8%, and 13.6%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 57.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports fermented or partly fermented black tea to Russia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Russia's imports of fermented or partly fermented black tea totaled 11 032 t, remaining stable compared to the previous year. The highest import level was recorded in 2020 at 11 062 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, three key markets—Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and India—together supplied 86.7% of Russia's total imports in kind of fermented or partly fermented black tea.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Russia's imports of fermented or partly fermented black tea in value terms rebounded in 2021. Imports stood at 52 096 K $ US, up 4.5% from 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 49 840 K $ US, which saw a decline of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and India were the primary suppliers of fermented or partly fermented black tea to Russia in value terms, with shares of 53.9%, 18.2%, and 9.0%, respectively. Together, they comprised 81.1% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021