Nothing better than a cup of tea brightens mornings or lightens the darkness of sultry evenings. Around the world, tea is consumed as an energizer, a relaxant, an immunity booster, and often a beverage to socialize with. In some cases, tea is used medicinally to cure diseases and curb ailments. Tea import-export trade flourishes globally due to its ever-increasing popularity. It is estimated that 3.7 billion cups of tea are consumed every day, worldwide. 

Tea was first consumed in China in 10th Century BC. It was later exported to Britain, becoming one of the primary export commodities of the East India Company. Tea became the cross-continent favorite that it is today through the expansive reach of the British empire.  

If you wish to participate in the tea import-export trade, you must first learn about the nations that sell the most tea. The global tea market is estimated to be at around $58.5 billion, as of 2020.   

Here are the top 5 tea exporting nations. 

1. China ($2.1 billion)

Cornering about a third of the global tea market, China is the largest producer and exporter of tea. China’s green teas growing in subtropical regions are a favorite among consumers. Its excellent climatic conditions and government assistance have kept China at the helm of the tea-exporting business for centuries. China also produces a few of the most expensive specialty brews like the Da-Hong Pao tea. 

2. Kenya ($1.2 billion)

Coming in second, the African country of Kenya registered a 13% annual increase in its tea revenues. Tea is Kenya’s top export commodity. About a third of its export volume is sent to tea-loving Pakistan. Kenya’s low-priced tea makes it extremely competitive and gives the country an edge over Asian producers like India and Sri Lanka. 

3. Sri Lanka ($732.4 million) 

Historically, Sri Lanka has prided itself on the quality and the export volume of its tea. The legendary Ceylon tea is appreciated for its strong and leafy taste and is laden with rich anti-oxidants. However, the government’s recent decision to go 100% organic overnight has drastically hurt the nation’s tea exports, which have reached a 23-year low. Sri Lanka’s plunge into economic crisis makes it difficult to predict when the situation will improve. 

4. India ($687.9 million) 

From Britain to North America, tea lovers revel in the pleasures of the famous Darjeeling tea coming from the Indian region of Bengal. Despite being the second largest tea-producing country in the world, India ranks fourth on the exporting list due to high domestic demand. In recent months, India has filled up the export gap left by Sri Lanka’s reduced supply. Russia and Iran are two of the top destinations for Indian tea exports. 

5. Poland ($262.8 million) 

The nation of Poland has emerged as a European leader in the export of tea. Overtaking countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom, Poland imports tea from Kenya, Sri Lanka, and India and further exports to countries like France and the United States. The Polish have a strong culture of tea consumption with no meal being complete without a steaming cuppa.   

Soaring fuel prices and food insecurity might affect tea trade in the coming months. But the emergence of flavored and specialty teas will keep our palates searching for more. Safe to say, the future looks ready to be a tea-some affair!