Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for tea in packings ≤3 kg in Eastern Asia expanded consistently from 2.6 million tons in 2018 to 3.5 million tons in 2023. Growth was steady each year, with the market adding between 125 000 and 250 000 tons annually.

In value terms, the market grew from $16.5 billion in 2018 to a peak of $24.4 billion in 2022, before declining to $22.0 billion in 2023. The drop in market value coincided with intensified competition among tea brands and a shift toward simpler, more environmentally friendly packaging, which put downward pressure on prices. At the same time, tea production rose by 6.1% in 2023, supporting the continued volume growth.

The period saw the rise of health-conscious consumption, with increasing demand for sugar-free tea drinks, and a younger generation of consumers embracing bagged tea. Digital transformation accelerated, as exemplified by the launch of traceability systems and smart production lines by major players like Eight Horses Tea. Online and offline sales channels broadened, and new tea drink formats gained popularity, further stimulating market volume.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Tea production in packings of 3 kg or less in Eastern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 3 005 thousand tonnes of this tea, marking a 5.0% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of tea production in packings of 3 kg or less in Eastern Asia has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 21 835 million US dollars, a 1.3% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, the production value increased by 31.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Asia's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less reached 161.3 thousand tonnes, showing a significant increase of 14.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 140.4 thousand tonnes, which represented a decline of 7.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Eastern Asia included Ghana, accounting for 12.6% of exports in kind, Senegal at 11.0%, and Mauritania at 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 33.9% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Eastern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 172 million US dollars, reflecting a solid rise of 10.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Eastern Asia was widely dispersed across partner countries. Ghana accounted for 7.2% of exports in value terms, the United States for 6.9%, and Malaysia for 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 20.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Eastern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 19.7 thousand tonnes of this tea, which is 14.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 37.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Eastern Asia were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Sri Lanka accounted for 15.3% of imports in kind, Asia not elsewhere specified for 13.7%, and Georgia for 4.2%. Together, these three sources represented only 33.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of tea imports in packings of 3 kg or less to Eastern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 213 million US dollars, which is 10.6% greater than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 35.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Eastern Asia were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Sri Lanka accounted for 15.2% of imports in value terms, Asia not elsewhere specified for 14.9%, and India for 4.7%. Together, these three sources represented only 34.7% of total import flows.

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

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