Tea market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The tea market in Middle Africa saw modest growth in 2018 and 2019, with volume reaching 31 200 metric tons. This was supported by the rising consumption of tea across the continent and efficient auction systems in key producing nations like Kenya, although local production in some areas faced funding shortages and political instability that kept capacity utilization low.

Market volume contracted in 2020 to 29 746 metric tons but rebounded in 2021 to 30 712 metric tons, coinciding with the development of the specialty tea segment and increasing urbanization, which boosted demand for premium products. During this period, consumer preferences also shifted toward healthier and organic options.

From 2022 onward, the market declined steadily, falling to 28 960 metric tons by 2023. This trend was exacerbated by severe droughts in East Africa, which reduced the availability of imported tea from major suppliers like Kenya, while a growing emphasis on sustainability and plastic-free packaging further influenced supply and demand dynamics.

Production tea in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Tea production in Middle Africa has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 27 864 tonnes of tea, marking a slight increase of 0.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tea from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

Tea exports from Middle Africa have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled just 3 tonnes, which represents a sharp decline of 45.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports plummeted by 99.6%, translating to an annualized decrease of 83.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Middle Africa's tea exports were the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 38.3% of export volume, Uganda with 21.2%, and Kenya at 10.2%. Together, these three markets made up 69.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The highest export value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 48 times. In 2020, Middle Africa exported tea worth 35 000 US dollars, a sudden jump of 58.7% from 2019. The minimum value was 22 000 US dollars in 2019, and the largest decline of 93.4% also took place that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner portfolio for tea exports in value terms from Middle Africa was quite diverse. The United Arab Emirates contributed 21.0% of export value, Kenya 5.5%, and Uganda 3.3%, but together they represented only 29.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports tea to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

Tea imports into Middle Africa have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 1 885 tonnes, down by 46.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 27.7%, with an annualized rate of decline of 10.3%. The peak import volume was 4 144 tonnes in 2018, which also saw the largest increase of 58.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of tea to Middle Africa were Sri Lanka, providing 33.9% of import volume, India with 18.0%, and China at 11.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 63.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Middle Africa imported tea worth 4 935 000 US dollars, reflecting a decrease of 52.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 51%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 400 000 US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 4.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main suppliers of tea to Middle Africa in value terms were Sri Lanka, accounting for 48.9% of import value, Portugal with 14.8%, and India at 8.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 72.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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