Tea market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

The Brazilian tea market opened the period at 2 470 t in 2018, supported by the launch of the first organic ready-to-drink tea lines and a growing consumer shift towards healthy beverages as an alternative to sodas. After a dip to 2 326 t in 2019, the market rebounded to 2 423 t in 2020, fueled by a sustained health and wellness movement and the national rollout of new functional cold tea varieties that attracted broader demand.

Market volume climbed to a peak of 2 485 t in 2021, driven by the strong performance of diversified formats like chilled teas and the expansion of the premium segment through frequent new blend launches. This growth reversed in 2022, with the market contracting to 2 204 t, primarily due to regulatory interventions that updated lists of authorized botanicals and enforced the withdrawal of specific banned tea batches from the market, constraining product availability.

By 2023, the market saw a slight stabilization, settling at 2 183 t, concluding a phase of volatility that began in 2018.

Production tea in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of tea, 2018-2021

World map of production of tea, 2018-2021

Brazil's tea production volume increased after two years of decline. In 2021, Brazil produced 2 019 tonnes of tea, which remained virtually unchanged from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 2.9%, representing an annualized decline of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 2 010 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019 at 1.7%.

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

Exports tea from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

Brazil's tea exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 180.9 tonnes, marking a 22.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 305.8 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 23.6%. The most significant increase was observed in 2019 at 34.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the dominant buyer of Brazilian tea, accounting for 79.5% of total exports in volume. Other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Brazil's tea exports in monetary terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 1 132 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp decrease of 20.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports dropped by 43.2%, representing an annualized decline of 17.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the key buyer of Brazilian tea in value terms, accounting for 83.0% of total exports. A diverse group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports tea to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

Brazil's tea imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 647.3 tonnes, showing no significant change from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 4.8%, representing an annualized increase of 1.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 587.9 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in the same year at 4.9%. The most significant increase was observed in 2020 at 10.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China (41.1% of imports in volume), Argentina (30.4%), and the United States (6.3%) together accounted for 77.8% of Brazil's total tea imports, remaining the main sources of tea for the country.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Brazil's tea imports in monetary terms totaled 3 054 thousand US dollars, representing a 3.7% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 946 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 113 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 5.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China (26.3% of imports in value terms), Argentina (10.4%), and the United States (8.8%) played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of tea to Brazil, with their combined share reaching 45.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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