Market research

Tea market in Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The African tea market saw notable changes between 2018 and 2020. Production initially rose after tea cultivation area expanded by 11% in 2018, but stricter environmental laws in Kenya increased manufacturing costs, contributing to a market dip in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumer behavior towards health-focused products, boosting demand for teas with natural ingredients and leading to a surge in market volume to 3.86 million tonnes and value to over $11 billion.

Subsequently, the market adjusted with new drivers. After a post-pandemic correction in 2021, the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from 2022 reduced customs duties, facilitating intra-African trade and attracting new players and investments. This supported market value, while the rise of ready-to-drink tea and eco-friendly packaging met evolving consumer preferences. By 2023, despite rising input costs in Kenya, export expansion and a shift towards flavored and sustainably packaged teas helped maintain market volume above 3.4 million tonnes.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production tea in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Africa's tea production experienced its largest decline of 6.4%. However, in 2020, production rebounded sharply to 4,210 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 39.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, tea production in Africa grew by 49.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.1%	(6.4%)	39.0%	14.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of tea production in Africa reached its minimum at 9,605 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 15.6% recorded that year. In 2020, production value rose robustly to 11,875 million US dollars, representing a 23.6% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, the overall production value increased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.5%	(15.6%)	23.6%	3.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports tea from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Africa's tea export volume hit its lowest point at 483.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 7.2% occurring that year. In 2020, exports rebounded to 575.6 thousand tonnes, showing a solid 19.1% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export volume grew by 17.4%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.2%	(7.2%)	19.1%	5.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's tea exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Pakistan accounted for 30.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 11.2%, and the United Arab Emirates for 4.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 46.4% of total export flows, indicating a diversified export structure.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of Africa's tea exports reached its minimum at 1,532 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 16.4% recorded that year. After two consecutive years of decrease, exports increased in 2020 to 1,623 million US dollars, representing a limited gain of 5.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.8%)	(16.4%)	5.9%	(4.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

The data from 2017 to 2020 show that Africa's tea exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Pakistan accounted for 33.8% of export value, the United Kingdom for 10.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 5.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 49.6% of total export flows, reflecting a relatively diversified market.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports tea to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2018, Africa's tea imports in kind recorded their largest decline of 22.9%. In 2019, imports saw the largest increase of 28.1%. In 2020, imports amounted to 229.5 thousand tonnes, which is 22.3% lower year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume decreased by 23.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(22.9%)	28.1%	(22.3%)	(8.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Africa's tea imports in kind were China, accounting for 46.6% of imports, Sri Lanka with 4.7%, and India with 3.9%. Together, these three countries formed the primary group of import destinations, representing a combined share of 55.2% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of Africa's tea imports reached its minimum at 894 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 3.8% recorded that year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 930 million US dollars. In 2020, imports totaled 911 million US dollars, reflecting a modest increase of 1.9% compared to 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.9%	(3.8%)	1.9%	(0.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Africa's tea imports in value terms were China, accounting for 43.1% of import value, Sri Lanka with 7.3%, and India with 3.9%. These three countries jointly accounted for 54.3% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io