Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for tea in packings ≤3 kg began the period at 4 093 t in 2018, supported by a notable 4.7% volume growth in the purchase of tea and herbal infusions, alongside a 5.3% rise in the ready-to-drink iced tea segment. A forecast for increased tea production in 2019 did not materialize for this specific segment, as the market volume dipped slightly to 3 946 t. The market then experienced a significant surge of 29% in 2020, reaching 5 107 t.

Market volume stabilized at just over 5 000 t in 2021 and 2022, with a minor contraction to 4 878 t in the latter year. A recovery commenced in 2023, with the market volume rising to 5 109 t. This expansion was underpinned by an 11.2% increase in imports of bulk tea for infusion, which compensated for a decline in domestic production, while packaging capacity for the sector grew by 7%.

Growth continued into 2024, with the market reaching 5 482 t, driven by a further 11.2% rise in bulk tea imports. The period concluded with new regulatory developments, including Ministry of Enterprises guidelines from September 2024 aimed at improving food label readability and a proposed EU ban on single-use plastic tea bags, both set to influence packaging choices for tea ≤3 kg.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Italy's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less has rebounded. In 2020, the output value reached 18 265 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 42.2% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 19.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 846 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 33.8% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

After a two-year decrease, Italy's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less has shown growth. In 2020, the country produced 1 495 tonnes, representing a sharp rise of 34.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 32.8%, averaging an annual decline of 12.4%. The minimum output was in 2019 at 1 115 tonnes, and the steepest reduction took place in 2018 with a 45.2% drop.

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

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Italy's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less have declined. In 2020, exports totaled 607 tonnes, reflecting a substantial year-over-year decrease of 55.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 14.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 363 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 53.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Malta, and Slovenia were the top destinations for Italy's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less by volume. Romania accounted for 41.8% of exports, Malta for 14.1%, and Slovenia for 8.8%, together making up 64.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 3 695 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp drop of 39.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 29.1%, averaging an annual decline of 10.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 240 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 19.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's export market for tea in packings of 3 kg or less by value was diverse. France led with 17.7% of exports, followed by Romania at 14.1% and Malta at 8.2%. Together, these three countries represented 40.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 4 219 tonnes, up by 0.6% year-over-year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 23%, averaging an annual decline of 8.4%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 3 961 tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 27.7%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less by volume were spread across many countries. The United Kingdom was the largest source with 20.4% of imports, followed by Poland at 13.8% and China at 12.6%. Combined, these three accounted for 46.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value hit 65 211 thousand US dollars, indicating a modest 1.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.5%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 63 276 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest decrease of 7.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets dominated Italy's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less by value. The United Kingdom, Poland, and Germany together represented 65.2% of total import flows.

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

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