Tea market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The Thai tea market volume stabilized around 100–102 thousand tons in 2018–2019, before rising to 111.3 thousand tons in 2020. This increase was driven by health and wellness trends that shifted consumer preferences toward tea, particularly in the ready‑to‑drink segment, which saw continuous expansion as consumers sought healthier beverage options.

Market volume held steady at 111.7 thousand tons in 2021, supported by government efforts to accelerate standards and develop the domestic tea industry. A notable surge to 117.3 thousand tons occurred in 2022, fueled by the rapid rise of the specialty tea segment—with new shop openings increasing by 205% over three years—and the entry of major players like Panthai Coffee and Singha Park Chiang Rai, who invested over 10 million baht to launch regional tea products. Growth continued in 2023, reaching 117.9 thousand tons, as specialty tea orders multiplied and consumers increasingly opted for high‑quality Thai teas, supported by health trends and the structural expansion of the tea industry.

Production tea in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand ranked 18th globally in tea production volume.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Tea production in Thailand grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 103.4 K t of tea, marking a moderate 7.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 30.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.2%.

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

Exports tea from Thailand

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at 830 t and then climbed to a peak in 2020 at 2 853 t, representing a 3.4-fold increase. In 2020, exported tea volumes from Thailand amounted to 2 853 t, a sharp rise of 243.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 69.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Thailand's tea exports in kind were Indonesia (26.5% of exports), the United States (16.9%), and China (15.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 58.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at 7 216 K $ US and then peaked in 2020 at 23 853 K $ US, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.3 times. In 2020, Thailand's tea exports were recorded at 23 853 K $ US, which is 230.5% greater year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 51.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core of Thailand's tea exports in value terms consisted of Indonesia (25.7% of exports), Laos (19.1%), and Cambodia (13.7%). Together, these three markets accounted for 58.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tea to Thailand

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes dropped to a minimum in 2019 at 4 830 t and reached their maximum in 2018 at 11 645 t, a 2.4-fold shift. In 2020, Thailand imported a total of value_last_year} t of tea, corresponding to a steep increase of 123.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 58.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of tea to Thailand in kind were China (40.4% of imports), Vietnam (33.0%), and Myanmar (10.1%). Together, these three countries formed 83.6% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values bottomed in 2019 at 6 535 K $ US and then peaked in 2020 at 26 011 K $ US, differing by a factor of 4. In 2020, Thailand's tea import volume reached 26 011 K $ US, representing a dramatic improvement of 298.0% from a year earlier. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 66.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Thailand's tea imports in value terms were China (28.5% of imports), Japan (19.9%), and Indonesia (16.1%). Together, these three countries represented 64.5% of total import flows.

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

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