The tea industry plays a pivotal role in driving socio-economic progress, serving as a significant source of employment and income for millions of families, including those in developing countries. The chart depicts the top 5 countries for both tea exporting and importing, arranged in a left-to-right flow. Notably, small-scale farmers contribute 60 percent to global tea production, with over 9 million of them located in China, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka.
Annually, global tea production generates approximately USD 18 billion, while the total tea trade holds an estimated value of around USD 9.8 billion, constituting a substantial portion of export earnings. In recent decades, the tea sector has experienced rapid expansion, driven by a notable increase in global consumer demand, particularly in emerging economies and low- and middle-income nations.
On the import side, there was a consistent upward trend in purchases spanning until 2020. Pakistan, currently the top tea importing country globally, experienced an annual increase of 5 percent. Likewise, Hong Kong SAR has seen a rising trend in imports from mainland China, fueled by expanding domestic demand and advantageous international trade agreements. Meanwhile, import volumes in the United States, United Kingdom, and Russia secured the 3rd, 4th, and 5th spots, respectively.