Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for tea in packings ≤3 kg in Ethiopia remained stable at approximately 5 000 t. This period was shaped by government reform and privatization policies for tea production, which expanded land allocation for plantations and improved price-setting mechanisms for out-growers, laying the groundwork for future output growth. Concurrently, increasing consumer awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of tea helped sustain domestic demand.

The market expanded sharply to 6 820 t in 2021 and continued growing to reach 7 205 t by 2023. This growth was supported by industry recommendations to enhance farmer skills and extension services, which addressed production challenges and improved efficiency. In the following years, health and wellness trends boosted demand for specialty teas, while infrastructure developments—including plans for new processing facilities—and the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority's implementation of direct market linkages reduced intermediaries and strengthened distribution networks.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Ethiopia

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

Ethiopia's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less remained virtually unchanged in 2020, with output staying at 5,000 tonnes, similar to the level recorded in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, kg

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 114-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, deliveries of tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Ethiopia amounted to 3,076 kg, marking a steep decline of 35.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 21,316 kg. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 77.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 11,342.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka remained the dominant destination for exports in kind, accounting for 72.5% of total flows, with the remainder fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export levels fluctuated 26 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, tea in packings of 3 kg or less exports from Ethiopia totalled 44.3 thousand US dollars, marking an abrupt increase of 689.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 86.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 2,259.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two leading markets—the United States and Sri Lanka—together accounted for 94.1% of total exports in value terms, with the remaining volume dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, kg

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes peaked in 2017 and hit a low in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 6 times. In 2020, imported volumes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Ethiopia amounted to 7,435 kg, showing a decline of 82.8% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 19.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—China, Turkey, and Sri Lanka—together accounted for 86.2% of total imports in kind of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Ethiopia.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Ethiopia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 54.2 thousand US dollars, showing a steep fall of 50.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 69.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 32.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 270.0 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 59.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 50.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for imports in value terms of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Ethiopia were Turkey (57.3% of imports in value terms), China (20.2% of imports in value terms), and Sri Lanka (17.7% of imports in value terms), which jointly accounted for 95.2% of total flows.

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

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