Tea market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The tea market in Southern Europe expanded to 16 757 t in 2019, a 5.7% increase from the previous year. This growth was supported by rising demand for functional teas and infusions with health benefits, as well as an increase in male consumers entering the market, which broadened the consumer base. However, in 2020, market volume contracted to 14 996 t due to logistical disruptions and a decline in traditional importing markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted global tea production and trade.

A strong recovery followed in 2021, with the market reaching 17 409 t, a 16.1% rise from 2020. This surge was driven by the launch of new green tea products with healthy ingredients, increased sales of organic and herbal teas due to heightened health awareness, and the recovery of out-of-home consumption. The market then experienced a slight decline to 16 769 t in 2022, primarily attributed to supply chain disruptions and increased production costs in Europe resulting from pests and changing weather conditions, which affected tea availability.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 16 435 t. During this period, sustained demand for premium, organic, and ready-to-drink teas continued to shape the market. Innovations such as the introduction of microplastic-free tea bags and the growth in the number of tea outlets reflected ongoing trends towards sustainability and convenience.

Production tea in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

In 2020, Southern Europe produced 100.0 t of tea, remaining unchanged from 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 100.0 t. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a 43.9% drop, while 2019 saw no change. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 43.9%, translating to an average annual decline of 17.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of decline, Southern Europe's tea production rebounded in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 886 K $ US, marking a strong increase of 12.2% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 789 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 45.4% drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 49.2%, averaging an annual decline of 20.2%.

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

Exports tea from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Southern Europe's tea exports declined in volume. In 2020, exports stood at 2 269 t, a sharp decrease of 26.4% from 2019. The peak was in 2019 at 3 085 t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 24.6%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Europe's tea exports in volume were not concentrated on a few key markets. Romania accounted for 15.2% of exports, France for 9.7%, and Bulgaria for 6.6%, together making up only 31.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's tea exports in value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports registered 20.1 M $ US, a drop of 17.5% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 28.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase at 21.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 15.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's tea exports in value were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. France accounted for 15.3% of exports, Germany for 6.8%, and Angola for 6.2%, together representing just 28.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports tea to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Southern Europe imported 19 742 t of tea, a significant decline of 13.1% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 19 742 t, which also saw the largest increase at 5.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.5%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Southern Europe's tea imports in volume were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Germany accounted for 16.3% of imports, China for 15.9%, and India for 11.2%, together making up only 43.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's tea imports from abroad totaled 148.1 M $ US, reflecting a slight increase of 1.9% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 0.5% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland consistently remained the main destinations for Southern Europe's tea imports in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 23.8% of imports, Germany for 16.0%, and Poland for 11.3%, together representing 51.1% of total flows.

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

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