Tea market in Eastern Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The tea market in Eastern Asia grew steadily from 11.9 million tons in 2018 to 13.2 million tons in 2020. This expansion was supported by provincial poverty-alleviation programs that promoted tea cultivation, increasing production. At the same time, improvements in farming and processing techniques enhanced tea quality, while the rise of e-commerce platforms and national brands like Dayi Tea made tea more accessible, boosting consumer demand.

Market volume continued to increase from 2021 to 2023, reaching 15.5 million tons. A key driver was the industry's shift toward fast-moving consumer goods, with new product formats such as bagged tea, freeze-dried tea powder, and instant tea attracting a wider customer base. The proliferation of ready-to-drink tea outlets and the expansion of tea plantation areas directly stimulated consumption and production, even as competition for market share intensified.

In 2024, the tea sector saw the rapid rise of new-style tea beverages and the growing use of short-video platforms like Douyin for marketing and sales. Leading companies such as Bama Tea Industry actively expanded overseas, while the adoption of smart plantation and blockchain technology aimed at improving product quality and traceability.

Production tea in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Tea production in Eastern Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 13 544 thousand tonnes of tea, marking a 4.4% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of tea production in Eastern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 70 843 million US dollars, showing a 7.0% gain compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 35.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%.

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

Exports tea from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, tea export volumes from Eastern Asia declined in 2020. The region exported 429.2 thousand tonnes of tea that year, a slight drop of 2.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 438.8 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for tea in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Morocco accounted for 19.8% of exports, Uzbekistan for 6.2%, and Ghana for 4.7%, together representing 30.8% of total flows. The remaining 69.2% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of tea exports from Eastern Asia has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 2 245 million US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 25.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, tea exports in value terms from Eastern Asia were not concentrated on a few key markets. Morocco accounted for 10.8% of exports, Vietnam for 7.7%, and the United States for 6.8%, together making up only 25.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports tea to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Tea import volumes into Eastern Asia have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 114.0 thousand tonnes, staying almost flat compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import volumes grew by 34.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017 to 2020, tea imports in kind to Eastern Asia were spread across a large number of markets. Sri Lanka accounted for 26.4% of imports, India for 16.3%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 5.7%, together representing only 48.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign tea supplies to Eastern Asia have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 591 million US dollars, showing a 1.0% improvement from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 27.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The analysis of tea imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Sri Lanka accounted for 23.9% of imports, Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 11.6%, and India for 10.2%, together making up only 45.7% of total flows, with the remaining 54.3% coming from other partners.

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

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