Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian tea market expanded from 2 705 tons in 2018 to 3 031 tons in 2020. This growth was initially fueled by rising consumer interest in new tea varieties and packaging formats, particularly fruit teas, alongside the rapid expansion of private label brands. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated consumption, leading to the opening of a new packaging and logistics center in Valea Crișului to meet the increased demand for fresh tea.

Market volume dipped to 2 810 tons in 2021 due to transport delays and widespread price increases, even as the instant infusion segment and private labels continued to grow. A sharp rebound followed in 2022, with volume reaching 3 250 tons, supported by sustained innovation in packaging and the rise of e-commerce, which improved product accessibility and spurred demand for protective packaging.

In 2023, volume contracted to 2 948 tons amid a broader decline in consumption, which also slowed the packaging market. Recovery emerged in 2024, with volume climbing to 3 189 tons, coinciding with heightened demand for sustainable paper and cardboard packaging solutions and a focus on cost-efficient supply partnerships.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's tea production in packings of 3 kg or less reached a value of 24 270 thousand US dollars, marking a 6.8% year-over-year increase. Production grew by 8.9% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania 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

Romania's tea production in packings of 3 kg or less has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 748 tonnes, showing a modest 4.8% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.4%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.9%.

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

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Romania have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Romania exported 145.1 tonnes, down by 16.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 38.6%, with an average annual decrease of 15.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 250.4 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 30.9%. The biggest increase was also in 2018, at 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for Romania's tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less were Moldova, the United Kingdom, and Chile, which together accounted for 82.7% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Romania have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 639 thousand US dollars, showing a solid 15.6% decline compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value dropped by 29.4%, averaging an 11.0% annual decrease. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 659 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 26.9% and the biggest increase in 2018 at 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key partners in Romania's tea exports by value were Moldova, accounting for 68.5% of exports, the United Kingdom at 6.6%, and Hungary at 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented 81.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Tea imports in packings of 3 kg or less into Romania have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 428.1 tonnes, up by 4.2% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.2%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 393.1 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 24.1%. The biggest increase was in 2019, at 4.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top suppliers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Romania were Poland, with 49.6% of import volume, Hungary at 10.7%, and Italy at 7.3%. Combined, these three countries made up 67.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less were valued at 3 845 thousand US dollars, representing a robust contraction of 12.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 6.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners in Romania's tea imports by value were Poland, accounting for 39.2% of imports, the United Kingdom at 15.9%, and Germany at 8.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 63.3% of total import flows.

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

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