Tea market Turkey, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Turkish tea market underwent a structural shift starting in 2018 when production and marketing were opened to the private sector, ending the state monopoly and fostering competition between the state-owned ÇAYKUR and private companies. ÇAYKUR supported the market by setting wholesale prices and regulating sales terms to stimulate trade. In 2020, the government-set purchase price for fresh tea leaves and ÇAYKUR's large-scale procurement of 752 thousand tonnes provided direct support to growers, helping the market volume grow to 1 468 thousand tonnes. The following year, ÇAYKUR's record purchase of 853 thousand tonnes of fresh leaves and an increased procurement price helped maintain market stability at the same level.

Market volume contracted sharply to 1 274 thousand tonnes in 2022, primarily driven by adverse climatic conditions that reduced harvests and the exit of a major player, Lipton, which ceased its local production. The market rebounded to 1 368 thousand tonnes in 2023, supported by ongoing modernization investments, enhanced quality standards within the sector, and growing global tea consumption trends which bolstered domestic activity.

Production tea Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey ranked fifth globally in tea production.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

In 2020, Turkey produced 1 451 thousand tonnes of tea, marking a 3.1% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 481 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 13.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Turkey's tea production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 258 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 1.2% compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, the overall production value decreased by 15.8%, averaging an annual decline of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 196 million US dollars. The most substantial decline took place in 2018, with a drop of 13.2%.

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

Exports tea to Turkey

Exports in kind, t

Turkey's tea exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 4 920 tonnes, representing a 12.7% increase from the previous year. Despite this recent growth, exports overall decreased by 6.7% between 2017 and 2020, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 3 750 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 28.9%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019, at 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Georgia, and Germany emerged as the primary markets for Turkey's tea exports in volume terms. Belgium accounted for 30.7% of exports, Georgia for 18.8%, and Germany for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 61.2% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Turkey's tea export value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 17 835 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 10.7% rise from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 29.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 718 thousand US dollars. That year also experienced the largest decline of 45.8%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, at 17.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Cyprus were the top three markets for Turkey's tea exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 57.2% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports tea in Turkey

Imports in kind, t

Turkey's tea imports rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 14 262 tonnes, showing a strong increase of 12.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 14 262 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 32.2%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019, at 36.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey's tea imports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on Sri Lanka, which accounted for 75.5% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Turkey's tea import value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were approximately 44 366 thousand US dollars, marking an 8.6% increase from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 14.4%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 35 476 thousand US dollars. That year also experienced the largest decline of 31.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, at 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka dominated Turkey's tea imports in value terms, accounting for 71.3% of the total. The remaining imports were spread across a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

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