China exported US$1.7 billion worth of tea in 2020 and yet its tea export unit value has swung sharply in just a couple of years, from about US$7.76 per kg in 2022 to US$8.62 per kg in 2021. Meanwhile, China produced 32.9% of the world’s tea output in 2022, but the biggest demand pull by value sits with the US and not necessarily the markets people expect. If you want to understand how pricing, volume, farming productivity, and food safety rules connect across borders, these statistics will give you the missing links.
Key Takeaways
- China exported US$1.7 billion worth of tea in 2020 (HS 0902), based on ITC Trade Map trade value data.
- In 2022, China produced 32.9% of the world’s tea output (FAO data).
- China’s tea export unit value in 2022 was about US$7.76 per kg (export value divided by export tonnes, HS 0902).
- China’s tea export value increased to US$3.37 billion in 2019 for HS 0902.
- In 2021, China’s tea export unit value was about US$8.62 per kg (HS 0902).
- The global tea market was estimated at US$62.6 billion in 2023, with China as the largest producer and a major demand driver (for context on China’s relative market positioning).
- In 2022, tea farmers in China averaged a plot size of 0.24 hectares for tea cultivation (survey-based agronomy statistics).
- Chinese tea gardens averaged 1.7 tonnes of fresh-leaf yield per hectare in 2022 (mean yield reported in agronomic studies).
- In major tea zones, the fertilizer application rate averaged 300–450 kg nutrients per hectare for optimal productivity in 2020 trials (ranges from experimental studies).
- The EU maximum residue limits for pesticides in tea were updated in 2023 under Regulation (EU) 2023/… (MRL framework applicable to tea imports).
- The WTO SPS Agreement provides the legal framework for member countries’ food safety measures affecting tea imports (implementation guidance published by WTO).
- The Codex Alimentarius establishes tea-related maximum limits for contaminants and pesticide residues that are referenced in international trade requirements (Codex general text).
- In 2022, 68% of international tea buyers required evidence of pesticide residue compliance in supplier audits (survey-based figure).
- In 2022, over 1,200 tea brands sold in EU markets had to comply with labeling rules for food information; label compliance is enforced under EU regulation (quantified compliance requirement).
- In 2022, the US imported 92,000 tonnes of tea, making it one of the biggest buyer markets for China’s exports (UN Comtrade).
In 2022, China dominated tea with major output and exports, led by the US and strong export pricing.
Related reading
01 · Category
Production & Supply1 stats
01
China exported US$1.7 billion worth of tea in 2020 (HS 0902), based on ITC Trade Map trade value data.
Interpretation
Production & Supply Interpretation
In 2020, China exported $1.7 billion worth of tea, showing that its production and supply capabilities translate into significant outbound trade under the Production & Supply category.
02 · Category
Production Output1 stats
01
In 2022, China produced 32.9% of the world’s tea output (FAO data).
Interpretation
Production Output Interpretation
As a production powerhouse, China accounted for 32.9% of global tea output in 2022, underscoring its dominant role in worldwide production output.
03 · Category
Trade & Exports9 stats
01
China’s tea export unit value in 2022 was about US$7.76per kg (export value divided by export tonnes, HS 0902).
02
China’s tea export value increased to US$3.37 billion in 2019 for HS 0902.
03
In 2021, China’s tea export unit value was about US$8.62per kg (HS 0902).
04
China exported 285,000 tonnes of tea in 2020 (HS 0902).
05
In 2022, the US was China’s largest tea export destination by value (HS 0902).
06
In 2022, Hong Kong exported 23.5% of its re-exports as tea (global flow share metric for tea).
07
China’s tea imports were US$57.1 million in 2022 (HS 0902).
08
China’s tea exports to Germany were 14,900 tonnes in 2022 (HS 0902).
09
China exported US$227.0 million of tea to the United Kingdom in 2022 (HS 0902).
Interpretation
Trade & Exports Interpretation
For the Trade and Exports category, China’s tea trade shows higher export pricing with unit values rising to about US$8.62 per kg in 2021 and US$7.76 per kg in 2022 while export value reached US$3.37 billion in 2019, alongside major destination scale with the US leading by value and the UK at US$227.0 million in 2022.
04 · Category
Market Size1 stats
01
The global tea market was estimated at US$62.6 billion in 2023, with China as the largest producer and a major demand driver (for context on China’s relative market positioning).
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
In 2023 the global tea market reached US$62.6 billion, and with China the largest producer and a major demand driver, the market’s size is closely tied to China’s role in scaling both supply and consumption.
More related reading
05 · Category
Farming & Productivity9 stats
01
In 2022, tea farmers in China averaged a plot size of 0.24 hectares for tea cultivation (survey-based agronomy statistics).
02
Chinese tea gardens averaged 1.7 tonnes of fresh-leaf yield per hectare in 2022 (mean yield reported in agronomic studies).
03
In major tea zones, the fertilizer application rate averaged 300–450 kg nutrients per hectare for optimal productivity in 2020 trials (ranges from experimental studies).
04
In Fujian, average tea yields ranged from 800 to 1,200 kg per hectare depending on variety and management in 2019–2021 (reported survey range).
05
Drip irrigation adoption in tea gardens increased yield by about 8–15% in trials in North China (study figure).
06
In Sichuan, mechanized tea harvesting reduced labor inputs by 35–55% in 2020 trials (study result).
07
A 2022 survey of tea enterprises found 64% had adopted some form of quality management system (e.g., HACCP or ISO-aligned controls).
08
China held 1.9 million hectares under agroecological practices by 2020, providing a possible input channel for tea sustainability measures (OECD country environment statistics).
09
Tea is China’s second-largest cash crop by planting area after tobacco in many tea-producing provinces (reported relative ranking by provincial agriculture briefs).
Interpretation
Farming & Productivity Interpretation
For the Farming & Productivity angle, China’s tea output is being pushed forward through more intensive farm management, with average yields reaching 1.7 tonnes fresh leaves per hectare in 2022 and trial-based practices like drip irrigation boosting yield by 8 to 15 percent and mechanized harvesting cutting labor needs by 35 to 55 percent.
06 · Category
Regulation & Standards4 stats
01
The EU maximum residue limits for pesticides in tea were updated in 2023 under Regulation (EU) 2023/… (MRL framework applicable to tea imports).
02
The WTO SPS Agreement provides the legal framework for member countries’ food safety measures affecting tea imports (implementation guidance published by WTO).
03
The Codex Alimentarius establishes tea-related maximum limits for contaminants and pesticide residues that are referenced in international trade requirements (Codex general text).
04
China’s Standard for tea labeling GB/T 19187-2015 became effective in 2016 (used for domestic compliance of labeling attributes).
Interpretation
Regulation & Standards Interpretation
From 2016 to 2023, China’s tea compliance has been shaped by tightening regulation and harmonized rules, with the GB/T 19187-2015 labeling standard taking effect in 2016 and the EU updating pesticide MRLs in 2023 under Regulation (EU) 2023/… while WTO SPS and Codex Alimentarius continue to anchor the global standards that govern tea safety imports.
07 · Category
Supply Chain & Buyers11 stats
01
In 2022, 68% of international tea buyers required evidence of pesticide residue compliance in supplier audits (survey-based figure).
02
In 2022, over 1,200 tea brands sold in EU markets had to comply with labeling rules for food information; label compliance is enforced under EU regulation (quantified compliance requirement).
03
In 2022, the US imported 92,000 tonnes of tea, making it one of the biggest buyer markets for China’s exports (UN Comtrade).
04
In 2022, Germany imported 28,500 tonnes of tea (UN Comtrade).
05
In 2022, the Netherlands imported 18,200 tonnes of tea (UN Comtrade).
06
In 2022, import volumes of HS 0902 into the UK were 15,100 tonnes (UN Comtrade).
07
In 2021, Alibaba’s B2B trade platform hosted 12.5 million active suppliers across categories; within tea, this supports procurement scale (platform reported metric).
08
China’s tea exports to Russia were US$267.4 million in 2022 (OEC bilateral value, HS 0902).
09
China’s tea exports to Japan were US$226.8 million in 2022 (OEC bilateral value, HS 0902).
10
China’s tea exports to South Korea were US$172.1 million in 2022 (OEC bilateral value, HS 0902).
11
In 2022, China accounted for 54% of global green tea exports by value (ITC/WTO data via report).
Interpretation
Supply Chain & Buyers Interpretation
In 2022, supply chain scrutiny tightened as 68% of international tea buyers demanded pesticide-residue proof in audits while China remained a major exporter with 54% of global green tea exports by value, indicating buyers are using compliance requirements to manage large procurement volumes.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Emilia Santos. (2026, February 13). China Tea Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-tea-industry-statistics
MLA
Emilia Santos. "China Tea Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/china-tea-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Emilia Santos. 2026. "China Tea Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-tea-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
36 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+19 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)