Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for tea in packings ≤3 kg in Western Asia gradually contracted from 344 thousand tons in 2018 to 316 thousand tons in 2023. After initial stability around 337 thousand tons in 2019-2020, a notable drop occurred in 2021, bringing the market down to 317 thousand tons. The following years saw minimal movement, with the market volume hovering near 314-316 thousand tons, indicating a period of stabilization after the earlier decline.

By 2024, several developments were shaping the regional tea landscape. The Dubai Tea Centre aimed to attract 50 new companies, expanding its role in tea production and trade, having already produced over half a billion tea bags in 2023. Consumer preferences in the region shifted towards iced tea, which captured 66% of the market in 2024, driven by the hot climate, while demand for premium and ready-to-drink tea grew in the UAE due to tourism and higher incomes. Additionally, Morocco emerged as a leading importer of Chinese green tea, with imports surging by 34.68% to 80.6 thousand tons in 2024, reflecting a strong regional taste for green tea varieties.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Western 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

In 2020, Western Asia produced 292.6 thousand tonnes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, marking a modest 3.4% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest production level was reached in 2018 at 298.0 thousand tonnes. That year also saw the largest annual increase of 14.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline, with production dropping by 5.0%.

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

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Western Asia's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volumes fell to 21 742 tonnes, representing a sharp year-on-year contraction of 30.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 46.3%, averaging an annual decline of 18.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Western Asia were widely dispersed. Iran accounted for 12.4% of exports in volume, Australia for 7.3%, and Egypt for 3.8%. Together, these three countries made up just 23.5% of total exports, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Asia exported 314.5 million US dollars worth of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, showing a sharp rise of 27.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 64.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.9%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 30.1%, while 2019 saw a slight decline of 0.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Western Asia was exported to a diverse range of markets. Even the top destinations—Iran, Australia, and Egypt—collectively represented only 18.8% of total export value, highlighting the fragmented nature of the market.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Asia imported 66 586 tonnes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, indicating a 21.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 84 734 tonnes. The largest annual increase happened in 2018, with imports rising by 16.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Western Asia were Sri Lanka, India, and Kenya. Sri Lanka accounted for 41.2% of import volume, India for 7.8%, and Kenya for 6.7%. Together, these three countries constituted 55.7% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less into Western Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value amounted to 450.5 million US dollars, which is 14.2% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 24.6%, averaging an annual decline of 9.0%.

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

Over 2017–2020, imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less into Western Asia in value terms were spread across many markets. Sri Lanka was the largest supplier with 33.1% of import value, followed by India at 5.8% and Russia at 3.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 42.3% of total import flows.

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

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