Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The market for tea in packings ≤3 kg in South Korea showed overall growth from 4238 t in 2018 to 4769 t in 2023, an increase of 531 t. This expansion was not linear, with the most notable rises occurring in 2021 and 2023.

A temporary contraction was observed in 2020 when the market volume fell to 4254 t. The market quickly recovered in the subsequent years, continuing its upward trajectory.

Throughout the period, domestic production demonstrated steady growth, increasing from 3430 t to 4185 t. This rise in local output was a key contributor to the overall market volume growth, even as import levels varied.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in South Korea

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

South Korea's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 620 tonnes of this tea, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 2.0%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 39.0 tonnes, while exports peaked in 2020 at 91.5 tonnes, representing a 134.5% surge from the previous year. This resulted in a 2.3-fold difference between the two years. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 43.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less were relatively diversified. The top three destinations—Singapore (19.8% of export volume), Russia (14.0%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (11.3%)—collectively accounted for 45.2% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, South Korea's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined in value. The peak was in 2019 at 2 052 thousand US dollars, followed by a drop to 1 919 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 6.5% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports increased by 40.1%, with an average annual rate of 11.9%. The largest increase was in 2018 at 33.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary buyers of South Korea's tea in packings of 3 kg or less by value were China (29.2% of export value), the United States (22.1%), and Singapore (13.8%). Together, these three markets made up 65.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, South Korea's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less decreased in volume. Imports reached their highest point in 2019 at 859.8 tonnes, then fell to 725.3 tonnes in 2020, a 15.6% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 span, imports grew by 4.6%, averaging 1.5% per year. The largest increase was in 2018 at 22.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for South Korea's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less by volume were China (38.4% of import volume), Asia, not elsewhere specified (18.2%), and Sri Lanka (7.8%). These three regions combined represented 64.5% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

South Korea's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 100 thousand US dollars, followed by a 7.3% drop in 2019. In 2020, imports stood at 13 956 thousand US dollars, showing only a slight change from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 25.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, the leading sources for South Korea's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less by value were China (27.8% of import value), Asia, not elsewhere specified (15.4%), and Singapore (12.6%). Together, these accounted for 55.9% of total import value.

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

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