Tea market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

The tea market in Myanmar contracted from 140.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 95.9 thousand tons in 2021. This decline was notably accentuated in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic altered consumer behavior and disrupted traditional trade channels. During the earlier part of the period, the market had seen the entry of foreign investors attracted by Myanmar's resources and low labor costs, alongside a regional trend towards health-oriented teas, but these were insufficient to offset the broader market contraction.

A turnaround began in 2022 as market volume rose to 98.5 thousand tons and further to 114.7 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery was driven by the expansion of the ready-to-drink tea segment, which saw significant value growth and product innovation to meet modern consumer preferences. Concurrently, changes in tea labeling and packaging regulations aligned Myanmar with international standards, boosting credibility in export markets and supporting a surge in overseas shipments.

Production tea in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Myanmar was one of the world's top tea producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 15th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Myanmar's tea production fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 112.4 thousand tonnes of tea, marking a significant 15.2% drop from the previous year. Looking at the full 2017-2020 period, production actually grew by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The peak was in 2018, when output reached 143.6 thousand tonnes, representing the largest annual increase of 37.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Tea production in Myanmar also declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 75.0 million US dollars, a sharp 30.2% decrease year-on-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 112.3 million US dollars, which saw the biggest annual rise of 50.4%.

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

Exports tea from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Myanmar exported 3 402 tonnes of tea, a strong 13.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 4.2%, averaging 1.4% per year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 3 011 tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 21.0%. In contrast, 2018 saw the peak at 3 811 tonnes, with the biggest increase of 16.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Thailand were the dominant destinations for Myanmar's tea exports in volume, together accounting for 85.2% of the total, while other countries had smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of tea exports from Myanmar dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 269 thousand US dollars, a 7.0% contraction from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 span, export value decreased by 2.5%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 2 982 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 28.1%. The biggest drop occurred in 2019, falling by 18.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Thailand, and Asia not elsewhere specified were the main markets for Myanmar's tea exports by value. China accounted for 30.4%, Thailand for 24.8%, and Asia not elsewhere specified for 21.1%, together making up 76.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports tea to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

Tea imports into Myanmar decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 497 tonnes, down 17.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 42.5%, with an average annual decline of 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, China, and Vietnam were consistently the top sources for Myanmar's tea imports by volume. Kenya led with 60.5%, followed by China at 16.6% and Vietnam at 14.8%, together representing 91.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Myanmar's tea imports were valued at 1 313 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual 4.6% decline compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value dropped by 49%, averaging a 20.1% annual decrease. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 307 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 49.3%. The biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 5.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Kenya, Vietnam, and China formed the primary group of markets for Myanmar's tea imports by value. Kenya accounted for 26.7%, Vietnam for 21.8%, and China for 19.3%, together comprising 67.8% of total import value.

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

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