Tea market in Papua New Guinea

Earlier Report Observations

The tea market volume in Papua New Guinea experienced a gradual contraction from 2018 to 2021, falling from 31 643 t to 29 537 t. This downward trend reversed in 2022 and 2023, with volume recovering to 31 014 t and then 31 761 t, respectively, nearly reaching the initial level.

Domestic production mirrored this pattern, declining from 32 381 t in 2018 to a low of 29 700 t in 2021 before rebounding to 32 000 t in 2023. As production constitutes the largest share of market supply, its fluctuations were the primary driver of changes in total market volume over the period.

In value terms, the market told a different story. Despite volume dips, the market's worth in U.S. dollars surged from 64 107 thousand in 2018 to 95 461 thousand in 2020, indicating significant price increases or a shift in product mix. After a drop in 2021 and 2022, the market value rose again to 92 146 thousand in 2023, demonstrating greater volatility in value compared to volume.

Production tea in Papua New Guinea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Papua New Guinea ranked 23rd globally in tea production.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Papua New Guinea's tea production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 31 045 tonnes of tea, representing a 2.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tea from Papua New Guinea

Exports in kind, t

Tea exports from Papua New Guinea decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 308 tonnes, marking a 47.8% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 70.7%, with an average annual decrease of 33.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Papua New Guinea's tea exports were Malaysia, the United States, and Solomon Islands. Together, they accounted for 64.9% of total export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of tea exports from Papua New Guinea fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 950 thousand US dollars, a 36.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 50.1%, with an average annual drop of 20.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Papua New Guinea's tea exports by value were Solomon Islands (33.2% of total value), Malaysia (16.5%), and the United States (15.5%). These three markets combined represented 65.2% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020

Imports tea to Papua New Guinea

Imports in kind, t

Papua New Guinea's tea imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 203 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 33.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 186.7%, with an average annual increase of 42.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Australia (35.4% of import volume), Indonesia (28.8%), and Singapore (7.4%) were consistently the main sources of tea imports for Papua New Guinea. Together, they accounted for 71.5% of total import volumes.

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

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Papua New Guinea's tea imports were valued at 500 thousand US dollars, a 12.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 37.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 340 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 570 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, with a 67.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary sources of tea imports by value for Papua New Guinea were Indonesia (38.5% of total value), Australia (37.3%), and Sri Lanka (7.6%). These three countries together represented 83.4% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020