Tea market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, tea production in Mauritius increased from 8 056 t to 8 329 t, while market volume grew from 8 489 t to 8 715 t. This expansion was driven by the reopening of the Dubreuil tea factory in 2018, backed by a Rs 200 million investment from the Chinese company Kuan-Fu Tea, which added new local processing capacity. Concurrent government budgetary measures to revive the tea sector and the entry of new players like the A Tea Story brand in 2019 further stimulated market activity.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted demand and supply chains, causing production to plummet to 5 105 t and market volume to drop to 5 513 t. By 2021, the market stabilized around 5 400 t as the industry absorbed FAO recommendations for a more sustainable business model. Recovery took hold in 2022, with production rising to 6 351 t and market volume reaching 6 831 t, supported by the expansion of retail through the opening of the A Tea Story tea salon and growing consumer interest in premium products with health and wellness attributes.

In 2023, production continued to recover, reaching 6 762 t, while market volume edged up to 6 863 t. This growth was underpinned by significant modernization investments: the ENL group initiated a project to produce higher-quality tea leaves and reduce import dependence, while the major producer La Chartreuse upgraded its equipment to increase capacity. Strong local consumption, averaging over 1 kg per capita, and efforts to establish Mauritian volcanic tea as a geographical indication provided additional momentum.

Production tea in Mauritius

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Mauritius ranked 30th globally in tea production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, tea production in Mauritius declined. In 2020, Mauritius produced 5 105 tonnes of tea, marking a sharp decrease of 38.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 30.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 11.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 8 329 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 10.2% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Tea production in Mauritius declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 56 946 thousand US dollars, showing a year-over-year decrease of 24.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 7.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 81 685 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 33.2%.

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

Exports tea from Mauritius

Exports in kind, t

Foreign tea supplies from Mauritius increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 47.0 tonnes, which is a 37.9% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 32.7 tonnes, with the largest decline also in 2018 at 30.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France consistently accounted for 82.4% of total exports in volume, indicating a high concentration on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.7 times. In 2020, Mauritius exported 524 thousand US dollars worth of tea, reflecting a sharp rise of 70.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 308 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 16.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France consistently represented 75.5% of total exports in value, showing a high concentration on this market, with the rest shared among other countries.

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

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

Imports tea to Mauritius

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of tea to Mauritius amounted to 455.2 tonnes, up by 8.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 22.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 466.1 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 25.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Kenya remained the nearly exclusive supplier of tea to Mauritius, accounting for 90.7% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, imported tea volumes in Mauritius reached 1 592 thousand US dollars, which is 7.9% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 14.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya (65.6% of imports in value), Poland (11.4%), and France (6.6%) stood out as the main sources for imports in value terms, together representing 83.6% of total flows.

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

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