Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Southern Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for tea in packings ≤3 kg saw initial growth, with volume reaching 1 801 thousand tons in 2019, supported by the Tea Board of India's scheme to promote packaged tea exports and the adoption of stand-up pouches that improved shelf efficiency. The COVID-19 pandemic then disrupted global supply chains and altered consumption patterns, contributing to a market contraction to 1 632 thousand tons in 2020.

Recovery began in 2021, lifting market volume to 1 747 thousand tons and later to 1 757 thousand tons by 2023. This rebound was driven by a strong increase in tea exports, which rose by 17.57% to 231.08 million kg in 2022, alongside a sustained consumer shift toward premium, organic, and green teas. Continued packaging innovations focusing on eco-friendly materials and government digitalization efforts for tea trade further supported market expansion.

In 2024, industry factors indicate a stabilization of export values following prior fluctuations and an ongoing consumer interest in specialty and organic teas. Government policies remain focused on export promotion and supply chain improvements, continuing the trends observed in earlier years.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

Following two consecutive years of growth, tea production in packings of 3 kg or less in Southern Asia declined in 2020. That year, the region produced 1 738 K t, representing a 5.6% decrease from 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 841 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Asia's tea production in packings of 3 kg or less declined for the second year in a row in 2020. The output was valued at 9 993 M $ US, marking a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 11 637 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 7.1%. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Asia exported 107.7 K t of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, a 6.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 72.7 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 36.4%. The highest volume occurred in 2019 at 115.3 K t, with the largest increase of 58.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Turkey, and Libya were notable but not dominant buyers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Southern Asia. Iraq accounted for 17.8% of exports in kind, Turkey for 12.2%, and Libya for 7.7%. Together, these three countries represented 37.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Southern Asia amounted to 618.9 M $ US, down 4.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 11.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 475.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 32.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 36.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for tea exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Iraq accounted for 12.2% of exports in value, Turkey for 9.8%, and Russia for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented 28.7% of total flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 71.3%.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 51-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Southern Asia imported {value_last_year} K t of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, a steep decline of 97.9% from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 80.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya and Vietnam clearly dominated imports in kind of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Southern Asia, jointly accounting for 84.1% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2018 and bottomed in 2020, with a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Southern Asia's tea import volume in packings of 3 kg or less amounted to 6.9 M $ US, a 94.6% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 152.2 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya and Vietnam remained the principal sources for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.7% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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