Tea market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Tanzania's tea market volume shifted significantly due to production-side factors. Massive investment in the sector during 2019 raised production to 162.0 thousand tonnes, but the domestic market volume fell to 130.5 thousand tonnes as exports absorbed a larger share of output. The following year, poor weather conditions, including prolonged dry spells, caused a reported 20% shortfall against projections, reducing production to 125.0 thousand tonnes and pulling market volume down to 101.0 thousand tonnes.

Market volume recovered from 2021, reaching 124.5 thousand tonnes in 2022, driven by the revival of abandoned tea farms and expansion of plantations in regions like Njombe. The introduction of new high-yield tea seed varieties supported this growth by boosting farm productivity. However, in 2023, market volume declined to 98.1 thousand tonnes amidst ongoing challenges such as climate variability.

Production tea in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania ranked as the 13th largest tea producer in the world.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Tanzania's tea production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, the country produced 125.0 K t of tea, marking a significant 22.8% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 162.0 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 26.5%.

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

Exports tea from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The export market for Tanzanian tea showed considerable volatility during these years. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 10 396 t, followed by a peak in 2019 at 31 655 t, creating a threefold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports totaled 24 096 t, reflecting a sharp 23.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 62.3%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2019 at 204.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan were the top buyers of Tanzanian tea in volume terms, accounting for 40.6%, 15.7%, and 14.5% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 70.9% of Tanzania's total tea exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Tanzania's tea exports in value terms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 32 421 K US dollars, a 29.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 33.8%, with an average annual decline of 12.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, Kenya, and the United Kingdom were the leading destinations for Tanzanian tea exports in value terms, making up 24.2%, 23.5%, and 15.2% of the total, respectively. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 62.9% of Tanzania's tea export earnings.

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

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

Imports tea to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

Tanzania's tea imports in volume terms fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 000 t, showing a solid 17.5% decrease from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume dropped by 72%, with an average annual decline of 34.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, China, and Malawi were the main suppliers of tea to Tanzania in volume terms, contributing 68.9%, 10.8%, and 6.6% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 86.3% of Tanzania's total tea imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Tanzania's tea imports in value terms increased in 2020, totaling 469 K US dollars, a 6.9% rise year-over-year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 51.8%, with an average annual drop of 21.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 439 K US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 50.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya dominated Tanzania's tea imports in value terms, accounting for 82.4% of the total. The remaining imports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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