Tea market in Burundi

Earlier Report Observations

The Burundian tea market volume grew from 43,229 t in 2018 to 45,514 t in 2020, supported by accommodative monetary policy under the National Development Plan and the vertically integrated management of the state-owned Office du Thé du Burundi (OTB). Global COVID-19 disruptions in 2020 hindered export logistics, reducing overseas shipments and thereby increasing the quantity of tea available domestically.

Market volume dropped to 41,135 t in 2021 as production declined and exports rose. The sector's structure remained stable with no major new entrants until 2023, when the inauguration of the privately owned Lovimax Tea Factory marked a significant diversification. This new processing capacity aimed at enhancing local value addition and coincided with a market volume recovery to 43,561 t and a sharp increase in market value to $128.3 million, indicating higher unit prices.

Government policy continued to frame the sector throughout the period, with support under the revised National Development Plan focusing on climate-resilient value chains and regional export market access, while the persistent role of OTB maintained an integrated production and marketing model.

Production tea in Burundi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Burundi ranked as the 21st largest tea producer in the world.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Tea production in Burundi grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 54 618 tonnes of tea, representing a 1.1% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Burundi in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Burundi's tea production value rebounded. In 2020, tea output was valued at 129.5 million US dollars, marking a 9.6% increase compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall production value decreased by 5.5%, averaging an annual decline of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 118.1 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 12.2% occurring that same year.

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

Exports tea from Burundi

Exports in kind, t

Burundi's tea export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 9 122 tonnes, reflecting a 9.6% year-on-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 10.5%, averaging an annual decline of 3.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 10 388 tonnes, with the largest increase of 1.9% also recorded that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, Egypt, and Oman were the leading destinations for Burundi's tea exports by volume. Pakistan accounted for 47.0% of exports, Egypt for 23.5%, and Oman for 14.5%, together making up 85.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Burundi's tea export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 21 625 thousand US dollars, down 1.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 23.7%, averaging an annual decline of 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, Egypt, and Oman remained the key partners for Burundi's tea exports by value. Pakistan accounted for 47.0% of export value, Egypt for 23.5%, and Oman for 14.7%, collectively representing 85.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tea to Burundi

Imports in kind, t

The tea import market in Burundi showed volatility during the observed period. Volumes reached their highest point in 2019 and their lowest in 2017, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, tea imports totaled 18 tonnes, down 30.4% from 2019. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 26 tonnes, with the largest increase of 98.8% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates were the top suppliers of tea to Burundi by volume. Rwanda accounted for 46.2% of imports, Belgium for 22.2%, and the UAE for 16.1%, together comprising 84.6% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Burundi's tea import value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were approximately 30 thousand US dollars, up 5.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 47.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 18 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 10.1% that year. The largest increase of 55.0% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Rwanda, China, and Belgium—together accounted for 84.1% of Burundi's total tea import value.

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

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