Rise of Tea Export from India: A Statistical Analysis

June 11, 2024

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Tea is a globally cherished beverage, whether it’s Turkish Oralet, Assamese, or Moringa ole from Egypt. In India, a day often begins with a cup of tea, a tradition echoed worldwide where tea serves as an immune booster, energizer, relaxant, and social drink. By 2022, India had dedicated 6.19 lakh hectares to tea cultivation, with 80% of its domestic production, marking it as one of the top tea-consuming nations globally.

However, the true origins of tea lie in India’s regions like Nilgiris, Darjeeling, and Assam, renowned for their premium taste and distinctive quality. This article delves into the rising trend of tea exports from India, providing detailed market insights, export data, and highlighting top Indian tea exporters. Let’s explore this fragrant journey together.

Why Are Tea Exports from India Profitable?

India stands as the world’s second-largest tea producer. Several factors contribute to the profitability of Indian tea exports:

High Production Volume: Historically, over 80% of mid-20th century Indian tea production was destined for the global market.
Strong Industry Structure: The Indian tea industry is robust, with a well-organized system encompassing growing, processing, trading, and exporting.
Economic Contribution: Tea cultivation significantly impacts the Indian economy, contributing to GDP and providing extensive employment opportunities.
Diverse Tea Regions: Key tea-producing regions include Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, each offering unique flavors and varieties.

Top Tea Producing Countries

The leading tea-producing nations in 2022 were:

China leads the world in tea production with an impressive output of 2.2 million tonnes. India follows as the second-largest producer, contributing 1.2 million tonnes to the global market. In third place is Kenya, with a production of 432,000 tonnes, while Sri Lanka ranks fourth with 340,000 tonnes. Vietnam and Turkey are close contenders, producing 214,000 tonnes and 212,000 tonnes respectively. Iran comes next, with a production of 160,000 tonnes, followed by Indonesia at 148,000 tonnes. Argentina produces 105,000 tonnes, securing the ninth spot, and Japan rounds out the top ten with an output of 85,000 tonnes.

Major Types of Tea Exported from India

India exports various types of tea, each with unique characteristics:

Black Tea: Dominates Indian tea exports, especially varieties from Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri, known for their robust flavors.
Green Tea: Though less exported than black tea, green tea is gaining popularity due to its health benefits and refreshing taste.
Oolong Tea: A semi-oxidized tea combining elements of green and black tea, growing in popularity in some international markets.

For accurate and updated data on tea exports from India, including suppliers and export data, Eximpedia.app is a reliable resource.

India Tea Export Data: 2023-24

Preliminary statistics for January 2024 highlight the following:

All India:
- Quantity exported: 20.10 M.kgs
- Value: Rs. 499.50 crores
- Unit price: Rs. 24.85/Kg

Comparison with January 2023:

Quantity exported decreased by 2.19%.
Export value fell by 10.45%.
Unit price dropped by 8.45%.

Top Tea Exporting Countries

Here are the major tea exporting countries, highlighting India’s position:

In terms of export value, China leads the list with an impressive $2.1 billion, making it the top exporter. Kenya follows as the second-largest exporter, with an export value of $1.2 billion. Sri Lanka ranks third, with exports amounting to $732.4 million. India comes in fourth place with exports valued at $687.9 million. Poland secures the fifth spot with an export value of $262.8 million, closely followed by Germany, which has exports worth $242.5 million, placing it in sixth position. Japan ranks seventh with an export value of $189.9 million. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks eighth with exports totaling $152.2 million. The United Kingdom (UK) is ninth with exports valued at $135.7 million, while Vietnam completes the top ten list with an export value of $130.7 million.

Key Destinations for Indian Tea Exports

India exports tea to over 25 countries. The primary destinations include:

Russia
Iran
UAE
USA
UK
Germany
China

During 2021-2022, India exported significant quantities to Russia (32.5 million kg), Ukraine (1.68 million kg), and Kazakhstan (6.48 million kg). The CIS countries collectively received 42.5 million kg, constituting 21% of total exports. The US, UAE, and Iran also ranked among top importers, with exports valued at $277.3 million.

Leading Tea Importing Countries

In 2022, global tea imports amounted to $6.62 billion, with the top 10 importing countries accounting for 61.3% of this value:

Finding Top Tea Exporters in India

To discover leading Tea exporters in India, visit Eximpedia, a comprehensive data-driven platform. Eximpedia provides authentic, current international trade information for over 130 countries. It offers extensive data on tea exports, including HS codes and detailed export statistics.

Conclusion

Global tea production and consumption are poised to grow over the next decade, driven by rising demand in emerging markets like China, India, and Japan. While entering the global tea market may seem challenging, it offers rewarding opportunities. Leveraging platforms like Eximpedia can help transform local expertise into a successful international venture. For any queries regarding tea exports from India, visit Eximpedia.app and schedule a free live demo today!