Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for tea in packings ≤3 kg remained stable at around 130 thousand tonnes in 2018-2019, while its value rose from USD 1.4 billion to USD 1.6 billion. This was influenced by the entry of new companies offering cheaper products and a growing premium segment with exclusive packaging. In 2020, volume increased to 146 thousand tonnes, supported by shifting consumer preferences toward natural and organic products and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on at-home consumption.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2021, with market volume reaching 178 thousand tonnes and value hitting USD 2.1 billion. This growth was primarily driven by rising demand for functional teas with herbs, fruits, and caffeine-free options, alongside the introduction of digital labeling for quality control and traceability.

Subsequently, the market contracted to 155 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 129 thousand tonnes in 2023. This decline was largely due to currency fluctuations and global supply chain disruptions, which affected the availability and cost of imported tea. Concurrently, the implementation of stricter labeling and packaging regulations added further pressure on the market.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 157 689 tonnes of this tea, representing a 13.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 136 286 tonnes, when output fell by 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of tea production in packings of 3 kg or less in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, this output was valued at 1 781 million US dollars, up 11.4% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 15.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 1 481 million US dollars, with a decline of 3.8% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has experienced a third straight year of growth in export volumes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less. In 2020, exports reached 32 817 tonnes, showing a gradual increase of 5.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. Kazakhstan accounted for 11.2% of exports in kind, France for 9.6%, and the United Kingdom for 7.6%, with these three countries together making up only 28.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 370.7 million US dollars, marking a modest gain of 3.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 28%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Kazakhstan played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). France accounted for 13.3% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 6.3%, and Kazakhstan for 6.1%, with their combined share reaching just 25.6% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Imports of foreign tea in packings of 3 kg or less into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 21 506 tonnes, reflecting a limited decrease of 5.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import volumes fell by 19.9%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and India were the top suppliers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Sri Lanka held 39.0% of imports in kind, the United Arab Emirates 6.4%, and India 5.8%, with their combined share reaching 51.3% of total import volumes.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported 187.1 million US dollars worth of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, equivalent to a moderate loss of 5.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 2.7%, or an annualized rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 186.2 million US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 197.2 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 5.9% also in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad, with Sri Lanka accounting for 31.9% of imports in value terms, the United Arab Emirates for 6.6%, and Germany for 6.3%. Together, these three countries made up just 44.8% of total import flows, while the remaining 55.2% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020