Market research

Tea market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the tea market in the Democratic Republic of the Congo showed initial growth, reaching 5 251 t in 2019 before a slight contraction to 4 986 t in 2020. This period was marked by structural challenges and persistent conflicts in key producing regions like North Kivu, which constrained production potential despite the sector's base.

From 2021 to 2023, tea production and market volume entered a pronounced decline, with output falling to 2 365 t and market size dropping to 2 986 t by 2023. This downturn coincided with reported ongoing management and performance difficulties within state-owned enterprises operating in agro-industry, which adversely affected agricultural supply chains including tea.

In 2024, tea imports surged to 1 462 t, signaling a shift in supply dynamics. The market also saw the entry of a new foreign player, Indian company M K Shah Exports Limited, which established operations in Bukavu attracted by the country's climatic potential for tea cultivation. However, continued instability in eastern conflict zones continued to act as a headwind for local production expansion.

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. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Democratic Republic of the Congo
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, 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, 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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Tea production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 446 tonnes of tea, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 285.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 56.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	282.5%	0.5%	0.4%	56.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports tea from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign tea supplies from the Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to 0.2 tonnes, marking a decline of 36.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 100%, with a compound annual growth rate of -93.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(36.1%)	n/a	n/a	(93.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Uganda were the primary buyers of tea from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, together accounting for 85.2% of total exports in kind, while other countries made up the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo exported tea worth 1 000 US dollars, representing a drop of 56.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 99.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -86.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(56.6%)	n/a	n/a	(86.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates dominated the export market in value terms, capturing 70.0% of total flows, with other countries collectively accounting for the remaining share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports tea to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

The volume of tea imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 540.6 tonnes, which is 34.4% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 950.7 tonnes, with the largest increase of 54.0% also occurring in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	54.0%	(13.4%)	(34.4%)	(4.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka (55.0% of imports in kind), India (11.0%), and Uganda (11.0%) were the main suppliers of tea to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, jointly representing 77.0% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of tea imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined. In 2020, imports reached 1 441 000 US dollars, a sharp decrease of 36.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 15.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2 278 000 US dollars, with the largest increase of 18.4% also in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.3%	18.4%	(36.8%)	(5.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms was marked by the strong dominance of Sri Lanka, which held a 79.2% share of total flows, while other partners had relatively minor shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io