Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for tea in packings ≤3 kg in Western Europe increased from 56 159 t in 2018 to a peak of 64 813 t in 2020. This growth was propelled by rising demand for larger pack sizes from the HORECA sector and a surge in at-home consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted purchasing toward retail and online channels. After contracting to 56 855 t in 2021, the market rebounded to 62 689 t in 2022, supported by the continued expansion of online sales.

Throughout the period, packaging regulations reshaped the market. The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, along with national laws such as France's AGEC, mandated a shift to recyclable or compostable materials, forcing producers to adopt paper-based or reusable alternatives. In 2022, many manufacturers turned to 'shrinkflation'—reducing net weight while holding prices—to offset rising costs for raw materials, labor, and logistics.

Consumer preferences evolved toward convenience and sustainability. The pandemic accelerated online shopping, leading to more small, shipment-friendly pack sizes. By 2024, the premium and organic tea segments gained traction, with brands offering reusable metal or glass containers for small premium packs, while mass-market tea remained predominantly in 1‑3 kg paper bags.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Western 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

Western Europe's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 42 339.1 tonnes, marking a 2.9% decrease from the previous year. However, production recovered in 2020 to 44 605.4 tonnes, representing a 5.4% increase compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of tea production in packings of 3 kg or less in Western Europe stood at 1 186 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.3% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 at 8.6%, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 11 881 tonnes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, showing a moderate 4.8% increase from 2019. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 11 342 tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2018 at 20 431 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 44.5% drop, whereas 2018 saw the largest increase at 44.0%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -5.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe's tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less were distributed across a wide range of buyers. Spain accounted for 8.6% of exports in volume, Poland for 5.9%, and Italy for 4.8%. Together, these three countries represented 19.3% of total exports, with numerous other nations holding smaller but still significant shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Western Europe totaled 284.1 million US dollars, up 1.4% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 280.2 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 285.0 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 1.7% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Western Europe in value terms were Spain (7.4% of exports), the United Kingdom (5.5%), and Poland (4.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 17.2% of total export value, highlighting a diverse market with many smaller partners.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Europe imported 32 088 tonnes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, marking a modest 6.6% increase from 2019. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 30 099 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 32 988 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.8% drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the key suppliers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Western Europe were Sri Lanka (18.2% of imports in volume), China (15.7%), and Poland (13.2%). Together, these three countries represented 47.1% of total imports, indicating a notable but not dominant role amid a broader range of suppliers.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of tea imports in packings of 3 kg or less to Western Europe totaled 375.3 million US dollars, up 4.4% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 377.8 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 8.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe sourced tea in packings of 3 kg or less from many countries. Even the largest suppliers—Poland, Sri Lanka, and China—together accounted for only 39.4% of total import value, underscoring the diversity of the import market.

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

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