Tea market in Azerbaijan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the tea market volume in Azerbaijan increased from 12 459 t to 14 027 t. This growth was underpinned by the State Program for Tea Development 2018–2027, which expanded tea plantation areas and raised yields, boosting local production. However, domestic output still could not meet total demand, and high imports continued to supply the bulk of the market.

Market volume fluctuated in 2022–2023, dipping to 13 627 t in 2022 before recovering to 14 068 t in 2023. The healthy‑eating trend spurred the launch of premium and functional tea products, reshaping consumer preferences. Intensified competition pushed brands to innovate, while a 14% rise in tea imports in 2023 helped replenish supply and support market volume.

In the following years, tea imports remained substantial, reaching 14 388 t in 2024. Local production kept rising as new plantations commissioned under the state program came into yield. Retail trade turnover grew, reflecting steady demand, and consumer prices for tea showed upward movement.

Production tea in Azerbaijan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of tea, 2018-2021

World map of production of tea, 2018-2021

Azerbaijan's tea production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 1 178 tonnes of tea, marking a sharp 26.4% year-over-year increase. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 35.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Azerbaijan's tea production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 8 964 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp improvement of 38.0% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 50.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 869 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports tea from Azerbaijan

Exports in kind, t

Tea exports from Azerbaijan have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 1 116 tonnes of tea, reflecting a robust drop of 17.8% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 18.4%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 6.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 506 tonnes, with the largest increase of 10.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Georgia, Russia, and Ukraine were the main destinations for Azerbaijan's tea exports in kind. Georgia accounted for 44.2% of exports, Russia for 30.8%, and Ukraine for 16.5%. Together, these three countries absorbed 91.6% of total tea exports from Azerbaijan.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Exported tea volumes from Azerbaijan have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 8 492 thousand US dollars, indicating a drop of 10.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 510 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the period from 2018 to 2021, Georgia, Russia, and Ukraine consistently remained the main destinations for Azerbaijan's tea exports in value terms. Georgia held 48.9% of exports, Russia 23.0%, and Ukraine 17.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 89.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021

Imports tea to Azerbaijan

Imports in kind, t

The volume of tea imports into Azerbaijan has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 13 965 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 7.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 096 tonnes, with the largest increase of 8.8% that year. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Sri Lanka remained the key source for tea imports into Azerbaijan, accounting for 82.2% of total imports in kind. Other destinations played a much less significant role during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Azerbaijan's tea import volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 61 858 thousand US dollars, indicating a rise of 10.1% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 24.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Sri Lanka clearly dominated tea imports into Azerbaijan in value terms, taking 82.6% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares during this time.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021