Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market for tea in packings ≤3 kg in Latin America and the Caribbean began the period at 90 406 t in 2018, supported by high tea consumption and a growing packaging sector focused on convenience, including 'Grab and Go' formats. Volume saw a minor contraction to 89 906 t in 2019 before a slight recovery to 90 098 t in 2020.

Market size surged to 96 791 t in 2021. A subsequent decline followed, with volume falling to 94 404 t in 2022 and then to 84 525 t in 2023. By 2023, over 40% of consumers expressed concern about non-biodegradable waste, driving brands to invest in sustainable packaging solutions, while 30% of consumers migrated to premium tea bags. The market leader Herboflora solidified its role as a major industrializer and supplier during this period.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Latin America and the Caribbean

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 two years of growth, Latin America and the Caribbean's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined. In 2020, the region produced 83 913 tonnes, marking a 2.4% decrease from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 85 956 tonnes, following the largest annual increase of 1.7% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Latin America and the Caribbean grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 719 tonnes, representing a robust year-over-year increase of 23.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 101.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and Canada formed the core group of markets for tea exports in kind. The United States accounted for 15.9% of exports, while France and Canada each represented 0.6%. Together, these three countries made up 17.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 13 539 thousand US dollars, showing a significant gain of 39.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 20.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 316 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, the United States, Canada, and France led the structure of tea exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 17.6% of exports, Canada for 0.7%, and France for 0.5%. Collectively, these three markets represented 18.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Latin America and the Caribbean imported 6 904 tonnes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less in 2020, reflecting a dramatic 52.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 37.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 533 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of tea imports in kind was scattered rather than concentrated. The United States accounted for 19.2% of imports, Sri Lanka for 16.9%, and China for 10.1%. Together, these three partners represented 46.2% of total import flows, with no single country emerging as clearly dominant.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, tea imports in packings of 3 kg or less to Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 60 463 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp advance of 44.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 45.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, the partner structure for tea imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The United States accounted for 19.7% of imports, Sri Lanka for 18.3%, and Poland for 10.9%. These three countries jointly represented 48.9% of total import flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 51.1%.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020