Tea market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Colombia's tea market volume expanded from 334.6 tons in 2018 to 528.8 tons in 2021, driven by the entry of new players like Hindú, which captured 45% of the national market, backed by cumulative investments exceeding $45 billion since 2005 and aggressive marketing strategies. Simultaneously, a growing consumer shift toward healthy and natural products, particularly iced tea and variants with ingredients like turmeric and ginger, stimulated demand and led to continuous new product launches, increasing household penetration.

The market then contracted to 373.2 tons by 2023, primarily due to the implementation of front-of-package warning label regulations, specifically Resolution 2492 of 2022 and Law 2120 of 2021, which mandated changes in formulation, packaging, and labeling for products high in sodium, sugars, or saturated fats. These regulatory adjustments coincided with macroeconomic pressures such as peso devaluation and inflation, which raised production costs and reduced consumer purchasing power, further dampening market volume.

Throughout the period, domestic tea production grew steadily from 157.0 tons in 2018 to 225.8 tons in 2023, supported by ongoing investments in production technology and innovation, even as import volumes declined sharply from 490.4 tons in 2021 to 288.8 tons in 2023, reflecting the combined impact of regulatory hurdles and economic constraints on trade.

Production tea in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Colombia's tea production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 170.1 t of tea, which represents a 7.0% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 28.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 8.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Colombia's tea output was valued at 2 421 K $ US, marking a significant uptick of 37.1% from 2019. Over the years 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 36.2%, with an annualized rate of 10.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 766 K $ US, which saw a decline of 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Colombia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports tea from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Colombia's tea export volumes declined. In 2020, exports stood at 174.9 t, reflecting a notable reduction of 10.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 47.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 195.4 t, following a substantial increase of 32.0% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Panama was the dominant market for Colombia's tea exports in kind, accounting for 77.7% of total flows, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Colombia's tea exports in value terms have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 2 489 K $ US of tea, which is 14.7% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 55.5%, with a CAGR of 15.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Panama, Guatemala, and Bolivia were the main destinations for Colombia's tea exports in value terms. Panama accounted for 60.7% of exports, Guatemala for 8.7%, and Bolivia for 8.0%, together absorbing 77.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports tea to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

Colombia's tea imports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 436.2 t, showing a robust gain of 17.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 32.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, India, Ecuador, and China were the leading suppliers of tea to Colombia in kind. India accounted for 31.2% of imports, Ecuador for 29.7%, and China for 15.0%, jointly representing 75.9% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Colombia's tea imports in value terms have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 090 K $ US, indicating a gradual rise of 7.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 15.3%, with an annualized rate of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 767 K $ US, which saw a decline of 2.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia's tea imports in value terms were distributed across many countries. The United States accounted for 17.9% of imports, China for 17.4%, and India for 13.1%, together making up 48.3% of total import flows.

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

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