Market research

Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for tea in packings ≤3 kg in Eastern Africa showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a contraction to 662 thousand tons in 2019, consumption rebounded sharply to 782 thousand tons in 2020. The market then gradually softened over the next two years before growing again to 781 thousand tons in 2023.

The recovery in market volume during 2023 was supported by the Finance Act 2023, which introduced zero-rating of VAT for teas destined for value addition. This policy aimed to incentivize domestic packaging before export, stimulating production activity and contributing to the year's increase in supply.

Industry efforts to enhance competitiveness continued, with the Kenya Tea Development Agency partnering with the government to promote value addition, reduce packaging costs, and access new markets like China. Favorable weather conditions in key growing regions also supported production, while currency movements influenced the market's value in dollar terms.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Eastern Africa's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less experienced its largest decline, dropping by 7.3%. However, production rebounded strongly in 2020, reaching 791.6 thousand tons and marking a robust 17.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 24.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.1%	(7.3%)	17.9%	7.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of tea production in packings of 3 kg or less in Eastern Africa reached its lowest point in 2019 at 2 809 million US dollars, representing a significant 19.0% decline. In 2020, production value surged to 4 158 million US dollars, showing a sharp 48.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 46.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	22.3%	(19.0%)	48.0%	13.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Eastern Africa reached their lowest point in 2018 at 6 811 tons, marking a 5.5% decline. The following year saw a dramatic turnaround, with exports peaking at 10 765 tons in 2019, representing a substantial 58.1% increase. In 2020, exports decreased slightly to 10 398 tons, showing a 3.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 44.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.5%)	58.1%	(3.4%)	13.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Eastern Africa's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less. The United Kingdom accounted for 18.7% of exports, South Africa for 1.3%, and Yemen for 1.2%, with these three markets together representing just 21.2% of total export volume. Many smaller trading partners each held modest individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 54.6 million US dollars and showing a 21.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 69.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.3%	38.2%	21.3%	19.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the value of tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Eastern Africa was distributed relatively evenly across markets. The United Kingdom accounted for 27.6% of export value, Chile for 2.6%, and Yemen for 1.9%, with these three markets together representing just 32.2% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, dropping to 840 tons and showing a dramatic 32.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume decreased by 46.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 18.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.5%)	(8.5%)	(32.6%)	(18.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa dominated Eastern Africa's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, accounting for 60.8% of import volume. China followed with 2.8% and Sri Lanka with 1.7%, with these three markets together representing 65.3% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, dropping to 6.8 million US dollars and showing a notable 24.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Import value peaked in 2018 at 9.7 million US dollars, representing a 1.6% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 28.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.6%	(7.0%)	(24.3%)	(10.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa formed the core of Eastern Africa's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less in value terms, accounting for 65.8% of import value. Sri Lanka followed with 2.4% and France with 2.3%, with these three markets together representing 70.5% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io