Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for tea in packings ≤3 kg initially declined before stabilizing. The 2018 market was supported by strong growth in consumer demand for infusions, which increased by 15% in volume, driving overall packaging volumes. However, in 2019, a reduction in the use of large tea bags within the Ho.Re.Ca channel, alongside a shift towards more concentrated capsule formats, contributed to a decrease in total market volume. Stabilization followed in 2020 as the growing ready-to-drink cold tea segment, increasingly packaged in glass bottles, began to offset softer demand in traditional tea.

Market volume surged sharply in 2021, exceeding 12 900 t. This growth was primarily driven by price pressures that pushed producers toward cheaper flexible packaging solutions, making tea more affordable and stimulating consumption. Concurrently, the expansion of compostable capsule offerings, responding to European waste management directives and consumer sustainability preferences, supported market expansion. In 2022 and 2023, the market volume moderated slightly; continued growth in packaged cold tea consumption, supported by increased use of PET and glass bottles, was counterbalanced by a decline in traditional tea volumes. The market also adjusted to strengthened packaging declaration regulations, such as Spain's Real Decreto 1055/2022, which increased transparency requirements for materials and recycled content.

Preliminary 2024 trade data shows a slight increase in import volumes alongside a decrease in exports, indicating ongoing adjustments in supply chains following the regulatory and consumer trends observed in prior years.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Southern Europe

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

Southern Europe's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less increased after two years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 2 495 tonnes, marking a 14.8% rise compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.6%, with an average annual decline of 7.8%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 2 174 tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 27.9% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Southern Europe's production value for tea in packings of 3 kg or less rebounded after a two-year downturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 26 881 thousand US dollars, showing a significant increase of 38.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 11.6%, translating to an average annual decline of 4.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 19 395 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop of 23.1% occurring in 2018.

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

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Southern Europe's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 1 390 tonnes, reflecting a 37.8% reduction compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 31.4%, with an average annual decrease of 11.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 2 303 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 13.6% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less were distributed across many markets. Even the top destinations—Romania, France, and Bulgaria—collectively accounted for only 34.9% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's export value for tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 15.0 million US dollars, representing a substantial 24.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 22.7%, with an average annual decline of 8.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 23.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 21.2% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Europe's export value for tea in packings of 3 kg or less was not highly concentrated. The top three markets—France (17.1% of export value), Germany (7.7%), and Angola (7.1%)—together made up only 32.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Southern Europe's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 9 048 tonnes, showing a notable 10.9% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 24.4%, with an average annual decline of 8.9%.

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

The import market for tea in packings of 3 kg or less in Southern Europe was diverse from 2017 to 2020. The leading suppliers—China (20.8% of import volume), the United Kingdom (16.2%), and Poland (12.2%)—collectively accounted for just 49.2% of total imports, with the remaining 50.8% spread across numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's import value for tea in packings of 3 kg or less increased after two years of decline. In 2020, imports totaled 117.2 million US dollars, representing a modest 3.7% improvement over the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 113.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.3% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (29.1% of import value), Poland (14.2%), and Germany (12.1%) were the main sources for Southern Europe's tea imports in packings of 3 kg or less, together accounting for 55.4% of total import value.

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

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