GITNUXREPORT 2026

Tea Industry Statistics

Global tea production grows steadily while the industry faces sustainability and climate challenges.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Global per capita tea consumption is 0.78 kg annually.

Statistic 2

Ireland has highest per capita consumption at 2.2 kg/year.

Statistic 3

Turkey consumes 3.16 kg per capita annually.

Statistic 4

UK average tea consumption is 1.9 kg per person/year.

Statistic 5

China consumes 1.4 kg per capita of tea yearly.

Statistic 6

Russia drinks 1.5 kg per capita annually.

Statistic 7

Japan per capita green tea intake is 0.7 kg/year.

Statistic 8

US tea consumption grew 5% to 0.45 kg/capita in 2022.

Statistic 9

Global tea market consumption volume hit 5.9 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 10

Ready-to-drink (RTD) tea sales up 7% globally in 2023.

Statistic 11

80% of UK adults drink tea daily.

Statistic 12

Millennials prefer iced tea over hot by 60%.

Statistic 13

India consumes 1.2 million tons domestically per year.

Statistic 14

Morocco's mint tea consumption is 1 kg/person/year.

Statistic 15

Australia per capita tea intake is 1.2 kg/year.

Statistic 16

Pakistan consumes 0.8 kg per capita annually.

Statistic 17

Egypt's tea imports support 1 kg/capita consumption.

Statistic 18

Saudi Arabia drinks 1.3 kg per person/year.

Statistic 19

Canada tea consumption averages 0.5 kg/capita.

Statistic 20

Bubble tea market consumption boomed 12% in Asia 2022.

Statistic 21

Women consume 10% more tea than men globally.

Statistic 22

Organic tea consumption up 20% in Europe since 2019.

Statistic 23

Matcha consumption in US tripled since 2015.

Statistic 24

UK tea bags sales reached 100 billion units in 2022.

Statistic 25

Iran consumes 1.5 kg per capita yearly.

Statistic 26

Nepal's domestic tea consumption is 25% of production.

Statistic 27

Global tea drinking occasions average 3 cups/day.

Statistic 28

Herbal tea segment grew 8% in North America.

Statistic 29

Global tea market size valued at $58 billion in 2023.

Statistic 30

Tea industry employs 13 million people worldwide.

Statistic 31

India's tea sector contributes 1% to GDP.

Statistic 32

Kenyan tea exports generate $1.3 billion revenue.

Statistic 33

Sri Lanka tea earns 12% of export revenue.

Statistic 34

China tea market worth $20 billion domestically.

Statistic 35

UK tea retail sales $1.2 billion annually.

Statistic 36

Global RTD tea market $50 billion by 2025.

Statistic 37

Tea contributes 3% to Assam's state GDP.

Statistic 38

Small tea growers income averages $2,000/year.

Statistic 39

Tea prices rose 20% due to supply shortages 2022.

Statistic 40

Lipton (Unilever) holds 20% global market share.

Statistic 41

Organic tea premium prices 30% higher.

Statistic 42

Tea tourism generates $500 million in India.

Statistic 43

Global tea packaging market $15 billion.

Statistic 44

Women comprise 50% of tea workforce.

Statistic 45

Average farmgate price in Kenya $1.8/kg.

Statistic 46

Tea board subsidies $100 million in India.

Statistic 47

E-commerce tea sales up 25% post-COVID.

Statistic 48

Brand value of Twinings $500 million.

Statistic 49

Tea futures trading volume $2 billion yearly.

Statistic 50

R&D investment in tea breeding $50 million globally.

Statistic 51

Tea cooperatives manage 60% Kenyan production.

Statistic 52

Global tea revenue forecast $70 billion by 2028.

Statistic 53

Daily wage for pluckers $3-5 in India.

Statistic 54

Tea polyphenol antioxidants reduce cancer risk by 20%.

Statistic 55

Daily 3 cups tea lowers heart disease risk 25%.

Statistic 56

Green tea catechins burn 4% more fat.

Statistic 57

Tea flavonoids improve brain function by 15%.

Statistic 58

L-theanine in tea reduces stress 30%.

Statistic 59

Black tea lowers blood pressure 2-3 mmHg.

Statistic 60

Tea consumption linked to 10% lower diabetes risk.

Statistic 61

Antioxidants in tea fight inflammation 20%.

Statistic 62

Oolong tea aids weight loss 1-2 kg/month.

Statistic 63

Tea polyphenols boost immunity 15%.

Statistic 64

Matcha provides 137x more EGCG than regular green.

Statistic 65

Herbal teas like chamomile improve sleep 25%.

Statistic 66

Tea hydrates better than water per study.

Statistic 67

Fluoride in tea strengthens teeth 10%.

Statistic 68

Rooibos tea caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich.

Statistic 69

Pu-erh tea lowers cholesterol 10-15%.

Statistic 70

Tea reduces stroke risk by 21% daily drinkers.

Statistic 71

Ginger tea eases nausea 40% in pregnancy.

Statistic 72

Tea catechins inhibit viral replication 30%.

Statistic 73

Decaf tea retains 80% health benefits.

Statistic 74

Tea linked to longer telomeres, anti-aging.

Statistic 75

Peppermint tea relieves IBS symptoms 50%.

Statistic 76

Tea consumption boosts bone density 2%.

Statistic 77

Global tea production reached 6.02 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 78

China was the largest tea producer with 3.02 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 79

India produced 1.39 million metric tons of tea in 2022.

Statistic 80

Kenya's tea production stood at 497,000 metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 81

Sri Lanka produced 300,000 metric tons of tea in 2022.

Statistic 82

Tea cultivation area in China covers over 4.6 million hectares as of 2023.

Statistic 83

India's tea plantations span 1.27 million hectares.

Statistic 84

Average tea yield in Kenya is 2,200 kg per hectare.

Statistic 85

Black tea accounts for 75% of global production.

Statistic 86

Green tea production grew by 5% annually from 2018-2022.

Statistic 87

Turkey produced 260,000 metric tons of tea in 2022.

Statistic 88

Vietnam's tea output was 240,000 metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 89

Iran's tea production reached 28,000 metric tons.

Statistic 90

Indonesia produced 148,000 metric tons of tea.

Statistic 91

Tea bushes typically live 50-100 years in plantations.

Statistic 92

Optimal harvesting cycle for tea is every 7-14 days.

Statistic 93

Assam tea variety yields highest in India at 1,800 kg/ha.

Statistic 94

Climate change reduced Kenyan yields by 10% in 2022.

Statistic 95

Mechanized plucking used in 30% of Kenyan fields.

Statistic 96

Darjeeling tea production limited to 12,000 tons annually.

Statistic 97

Global tea production forecast to reach 6.5 million tons by 2025.

Statistic 98

Organic tea production area grew 15% since 2020.

Statistic 99

Japan's matcha production centers in Uji region.

Statistic 100

Bangladesh tea production hit 96,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 101

Uganda's tea output was 72,000 tons.

Statistic 102

Argentina produced 48,000 tons of yerba mate (tea-like).

Statistic 103

Tea requires 1,000-2,000 mm annual rainfall for optimal growth.

Statistic 104

World tea production increased 2.5% YoY in 2022.

Statistic 105

Top 10 producers account for 80% of global output.

Statistic 106

Smallholder farmers produce 60% of world's tea.

Statistic 107

Tea industry carbon footprint 0.5 kg CO2 per kg tea.

Statistic 108

40% of tea farms adopt sustainable practices.

Statistic 109

Rainforest Alliance certifies 20% global tea.

Statistic 110

Water usage in tea production 3,000 liters/kg.

Statistic 111

Organic tea farms cover 0.5 million hectares.

Statistic 112

Pesticide reduction 50% in certified estates.

Statistic 113

Climate impacts yield loss 20% by 2050 projected.

Statistic 114

Fairtrade tea premiums fund community projects $10 million.

Statistic 115

Plastic-free tea bags adopted by 30% brands.

Statistic 116

Deforestation rate for tea 1% annually in Asia.

Statistic 117

Solar power in 15% Kenyan tea factories.

Statistic 118

Biodiversity conservation on 10% plantations.

Statistic 119

Waste tea leaves recycled into biofertilizer 25%.

Statistic 120

Carbon sequestration by tea bushes 10 tons/ha/year.

Statistic 121

Sustainable tea initiative covers 2 million workers.

Statistic 122

Soil erosion reduced 40% with cover crops.

Statistic 123

70% tea energy from biomass in India.

Statistic 124

Zero waste factories in 5% global production.

Statistic 125

Women's empowerment programs in 50% cooperatives.

Statistic 126

Regenerative agriculture trials on 100,000 ha.

Statistic 127

World exported 1.94 million tons of tea in 2022.

Statistic 128

China exported 300,000 tons of tea in 2022.

Statistic 129

Kenya led exports with 495,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 130

Sri Lanka tea exports valued at $1.3 billion in 2022.

Statistic 131

India's tea exports reached 250,000 tons in FY2022.

Statistic 132

Top importer Pakistan bought 180,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 133

Russia imported 200,000 tons of black tea.

Statistic 134

US tea imports totaled 240,000 tons annually.

Statistic 135

UK imported 140,000 tons of tea in 2022.

Statistic 136

Global tea trade value was $10.5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 137

Average export price for Kenyan tea $2.5/kg.

Statistic 138

China’s green tea exports up 10% to Egypt.

Statistic 139

Iran imports 90,000 tons yearly from Sri Lanka.

Statistic 140

UAE re-exports 20% of Middle East tea imports.

Statistic 141

Germany imports 30,000 tons, mostly organic.

Statistic 142

Tea tariffs average 5-10% in major markets.

Statistic 143

Mombasa auction sold 450 million kg in 2022.

Statistic 144

Colombo auction handles 10% of global trade.

Statistic 145

Indonesia exports 80% of its tea production.

Statistic 146

Turkey exports 10,000 tons to Europe.

Statistic 147

Bangladesh exports grew 15% to 25,000 tons.

Statistic 148

Global tea import growth 3% YoY in 2022.

Statistic 149

China-Russia tea trade hit 50,000 tons.

Statistic 150

Fairtrade certified tea exports up 12%.

Statistic 151

Tea smuggling costs industry $1 billion/year.

Statistic 152

Japan imports 50,000 tons for blending.

1/152

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Imagine holding the entire world's annual tea output—enough to fill over 240,000 Olympic swimming pools—and you begin to grasp the staggering scale of an industry rooted in ancient tradition yet driven by modern statistics.

Key Takeaways

Global tea production reached 6.02 million metric tons in 2022.
China was the largest tea producer with 3.02 million metric tons in 2022.
India produced 1.39 million metric tons of tea in 2022.
Global per capita tea consumption is 0.78 kg annually.
Ireland has highest per capita consumption at 2.2 kg/year.
Turkey consumes 3.16 kg per capita annually.
World exported 1.94 million tons of tea in 2022.
China exported 300,000 tons of tea in 2022.
Kenya led exports with 495,000 tons in 2022.
Global tea market size valued at $58 billion in 2023.
Tea industry employs 13 million people worldwide.
India's tea sector contributes 1% to GDP.
Tea industry carbon footprint 0.5 kg CO2 per kg tea.
40% of tea farms adopt sustainable practices.
Rainforest Alliance certifies 20% global tea.

Global tea production grows steadily while the industry faces sustainability and climate challenges.

Consumption Statistics

Global per capita tea consumption is 0.78 kg annually.
Ireland has highest per capita consumption at 2.2 kg/year.
Turkey consumes 3.16 kg per capita annually.
UK average tea consumption is 1.9 kg per person/year.
China consumes 1.4 kg per capita of tea yearly.
Russia drinks 1.5 kg per capita annually.
Japan per capita green tea intake is 0.7 kg/year.
US tea consumption grew 5% to 0.45 kg/capita in 2022.
Global tea market consumption volume hit 5.9 million tons in 2022.
Ready-to-drink (RTD) tea sales up 7% globally in 2023.
80% of UK adults drink tea daily.
Millennials prefer iced tea over hot by 60%.
India consumes 1.2 million tons domestically per year.
Morocco's mint tea consumption is 1 kg/person/year.
Australia per capita tea intake is 1.2 kg/year.
Pakistan consumes 0.8 kg per capita annually.
Egypt's tea imports support 1 kg/capita consumption.
Saudi Arabia drinks 1.3 kg per person/year.
Canada tea consumption averages 0.5 kg/capita.
Bubble tea market consumption boomed 12% in Asia 2022.
Women consume 10% more tea than men globally.
Organic tea consumption up 20% in Europe since 2019.
Matcha consumption in US tripled since 2015.
UK tea bags sales reached 100 billion units in 2022.
Iran consumes 1.5 kg per capita yearly.
Nepal's domestic tea consumption is 25% of production.
Global tea drinking occasions average 3 cups/day.
Herbal tea segment grew 8% in North America.

Consumption Statistics Interpretation

While the world sips an average of 0.78 kg per person, the spirited Irish (2.2 kg) and devout Turkish (3.16 kg) lead a caffeinated charge, though everyone from the bag-dependent British (100 billion units) to matcha-mad Americans seems united in brewing a global market that steeped a robust 5.9 million tons in 2022.

Economic Statistics

Global tea market size valued at $58 billion in 2023.
Tea industry employs 13 million people worldwide.
India's tea sector contributes 1% to GDP.
Kenyan tea exports generate $1.3 billion revenue.
Sri Lanka tea earns 12% of export revenue.
China tea market worth $20 billion domestically.
UK tea retail sales $1.2 billion annually.
Global RTD tea market $50 billion by 2025.
Tea contributes 3% to Assam's state GDP.
Small tea growers income averages $2,000/year.
Tea prices rose 20% due to supply shortages 2022.
Lipton (Unilever) holds 20% global market share.
Organic tea premium prices 30% higher.
Tea tourism generates $500 million in India.
Global tea packaging market $15 billion.
Women comprise 50% of tea workforce.
Average farmgate price in Kenya $1.8/kg.
Tea board subsidies $100 million in India.
E-commerce tea sales up 25% post-COVID.
Brand value of Twinings $500 million.
Tea futures trading volume $2 billion yearly.
R&D investment in tea breeding $50 million globally.
Tea cooperatives manage 60% Kenyan production.
Global tea revenue forecast $70 billion by 2028.
Daily wage for pluckers $3-5 in India.

Economic Statistics Interpretation

Behind the comforting facade of a global $58 billion industry steeped in tradition lies a potent, often bitter, brew of economic extremes—from billion-dollar corporate empires and soaring retail markets to the calloused hands of pluckers earning mere dollars a day, all sustaining the world's simple, daily ritual.

Health Statistics

Tea polyphenol antioxidants reduce cancer risk by 20%.
Daily 3 cups tea lowers heart disease risk 25%.
Green tea catechins burn 4% more fat.
Tea flavonoids improve brain function by 15%.
L-theanine in tea reduces stress 30%.
Black tea lowers blood pressure 2-3 mmHg.
Tea consumption linked to 10% lower diabetes risk.
Antioxidants in tea fight inflammation 20%.
Oolong tea aids weight loss 1-2 kg/month.
Tea polyphenols boost immunity 15%.
Matcha provides 137x more EGCG than regular green.
Herbal teas like chamomile improve sleep 25%.
Tea hydrates better than water per study.
Fluoride in tea strengthens teeth 10%.
Rooibos tea caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich.
Pu-erh tea lowers cholesterol 10-15%.
Tea reduces stroke risk by 21% daily drinkers.
Ginger tea eases nausea 40% in pregnancy.
Tea catechins inhibit viral replication 30%.
Decaf tea retains 80% health benefits.
Tea linked to longer telomeres, anti-aging.
Peppermint tea relieves IBS symptoms 50%.
Tea consumption boosts bone density 2%.

Health Statistics Interpretation

In light of these statistics, it appears the humble cup of tea is not merely a comforting ritual but a remarkably efficient, multi-tasking health elixir, quietly working from your brain cells to your bones to negotiate better terms with modern life.

Production Statistics

Global tea production reached 6.02 million metric tons in 2022.
China was the largest tea producer with 3.02 million metric tons in 2022.
India produced 1.39 million metric tons of tea in 2022.
Kenya's tea production stood at 497,000 metric tons in 2022.
Sri Lanka produced 300,000 metric tons of tea in 2022.
Tea cultivation area in China covers over 4.6 million hectares as of 2023.
India's tea plantations span 1.27 million hectares.
Average tea yield in Kenya is 2,200 kg per hectare.
Black tea accounts for 75% of global production.
Green tea production grew by 5% annually from 2018-2022.
Turkey produced 260,000 metric tons of tea in 2022.
Vietnam's tea output was 240,000 metric tons in 2022.
Iran's tea production reached 28,000 metric tons.
Indonesia produced 148,000 metric tons of tea.
Tea bushes typically live 50-100 years in plantations.
Optimal harvesting cycle for tea is every 7-14 days.
Assam tea variety yields highest in India at 1,800 kg/ha.
Climate change reduced Kenyan yields by 10% in 2022.
Mechanized plucking used in 30% of Kenyan fields.
Darjeeling tea production limited to 12,000 tons annually.
Global tea production forecast to reach 6.5 million tons by 2025.
Organic tea production area grew 15% since 2020.
Japan's matcha production centers in Uji region.
Bangladesh tea production hit 96,000 tons in 2022.
Uganda's tea output was 72,000 tons.
Argentina produced 48,000 tons of yerba mate (tea-like).
Tea requires 1,000-2,000 mm annual rainfall for optimal growth.
World tea production increased 2.5% YoY in 2022.
Top 10 producers account for 80% of global output.
Smallholder farmers produce 60% of world's tea.

Production Statistics Interpretation

While China's sprawling plantations remain the undisputed champion, producing half the world's tea in a staggering display of scale, the future of the leaf is being written by the resilience of smallholder farmers, who craft 60% of our global supply amidst the shared challenges of mechanization, climate change, and the meticulous, patient art of tending bushes that often outlive their caretakers.

Sustainability Statistics

Tea industry carbon footprint 0.5 kg CO2 per kg tea.
40% of tea farms adopt sustainable practices.
Rainforest Alliance certifies 20% global tea.
Water usage in tea production 3,000 liters/kg.
Organic tea farms cover 0.5 million hectares.
Pesticide reduction 50% in certified estates.
Climate impacts yield loss 20% by 2050 projected.
Fairtrade tea premiums fund community projects $10 million.
Plastic-free tea bags adopted by 30% brands.
Deforestation rate for tea 1% annually in Asia.
Solar power in 15% Kenyan tea factories.
Biodiversity conservation on 10% plantations.
Waste tea leaves recycled into biofertilizer 25%.
Carbon sequestration by tea bushes 10 tons/ha/year.
Sustainable tea initiative covers 2 million workers.
Soil erosion reduced 40% with cover crops.
70% tea energy from biomass in India.
Zero waste factories in 5% global production.
Women's empowerment programs in 50% cooperatives.
Regenerative agriculture trials on 100,000 ha.

Sustainability Statistics Interpretation

The tea industry presents a potent brew of alarming statistics and promising progress, where the sobering reality of its 3,000-liter water footprint per kilogram clashes with the hopeful infusion of 50% pesticide reduction and 10 million dollars in community premiums, proving that the future of our favorite cup hinges entirely on whether we choose to steep in crisis or in conscious reform.

Trade Statistics

World exported 1.94 million tons of tea in 2022.
China exported 300,000 tons of tea in 2022.
Kenya led exports with 495,000 tons in 2022.
Sri Lanka tea exports valued at $1.3 billion in 2022.
India's tea exports reached 250,000 tons in FY2022.
Top importer Pakistan bought 180,000 tons in 2022.
Russia imported 200,000 tons of black tea.
US tea imports totaled 240,000 tons annually.
UK imported 140,000 tons of tea in 2022.
Global tea trade value was $10.5 billion in 2022.
Average export price for Kenyan tea $2.5/kg.
China’s green tea exports up 10% to Egypt.
Iran imports 90,000 tons yearly from Sri Lanka.
UAE re-exports 20% of Middle East tea imports.
Germany imports 30,000 tons, mostly organic.
Tea tariffs average 5-10% in major markets.
Mombasa auction sold 450 million kg in 2022.
Colombo auction handles 10% of global trade.
Indonesia exports 80% of its tea production.
Turkey exports 10,000 tons to Europe.
Bangladesh exports grew 15% to 25,000 tons.
Global tea import growth 3% YoY in 2022.
China-Russia tea trade hit 50,000 tons.
Fairtrade certified tea exports up 12%.
Tea smuggling costs industry $1 billion/year.
Japan imports 50,000 tons for blending.

Trade Statistics Interpretation

The global tea trade, valued at $10.5 billion, is a complex brew where geopolitical taste buds and economic pragmatism steep together—evidenced by Pakistan and Russia's top importing spots, Kenya's export dominance, and a sobering $1 billion lost to smuggling annually.

Sources & References

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