Bulk black tea trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in bulk black tea was worth $3.56 billion in 2024, about 1.35 million tonnes. That is an increase of 5% since 2017, and up 1% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.56B | 1.35M t |
| 2023 | $3.53B | 1.32M t |
| 2022 | $3.82B | 1.39M t |
| 2021 | $3.65B | 1.37M t |
| 2020 | $3.57B | 1.40M t |
| 2019 | $3.74B | 1.37M t |
| 2018 | $3.56B | 1.23M t |
| 2017 | $3.39B | 1.11M t |
Top bulk black tea exporting countries
Kenya is the largest exporter with 38% of world exports, followed by India and Sri Lanka. The top three supply 74% between them, out of 176 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $1.34B | 38% |
| India | $656.4M | 18% |
| Sri Lanka | $650.4M | 18% |
| China | $180.7M | 5.1% |
| Malawi | $72.7M | 2% |
| Argentina | $70.7M | 2% |
| Rwanda | $59.8M | 1.7% |
| Vietnam | $59.6M | 1.7% |
| Indonesia | $50.0M | 1.4% |
| Uganda | $49.7M | 1.4% |
| Germany | $48.7M | 1.4% |
| Nepal | $32.1M | 0.9% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are Pakistan (17%), the United Arab Emirates (8%) and the United Kingdom (8%). 210 countries imported it, and the top three take 33% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | $608.4M | 17% |
| United Arab Emirates | $290.6M | 8.2% |
| United Kingdom | $269.6M | 7.6% |
| Russia | $255.5M | 7.2% |
| Egypt | $206.9M | 5.8% |
| United States | $179.9M | 5.1% |
| Iran | $140.8M | 4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $120.0M | 3.4% |
| China | $117.6M | 3.3% |
| Iraq | $114.3M | 3.2% |
| Germany | $90.8M | 2.6% |
| Japan | $89.7M | 2.5% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $2.63 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Sri Lanka averaged $4.73 per kg and Argentina $1.11 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0902.40: Tea, black: (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg. HS 0902 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most bulk black tea?
Kenya exported $1.34 billion in 2024, 38% of the world total, followed by India (18%) and Sri Lanka (18%). In all, 176 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most bulk black tea?
Pakistan imported $608.4 million in 2024, 17% of world imports, ahead of the United Arab Emirates (8%) and the United Kingdom (8%). The top three importers together take 33%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in bulk black tea?
It was worth $3.56 billion in 2024, about 1.35 million tonnes. That is an increase of 5% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $3.82 billion. 176 countries reported exports and 210 reported imports.
What is the average price of bulk black tea per kg?
The world average declared value was about $2.63 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Sri Lanka averaged $4.73 per kg and Argentina $1.11 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for bulk black tea?
The HS code for bulk black tea is subheading 0902.40, in chapter 09 (coffee, tea, mate and spices). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 0902 page.
How can I find bulk black tea buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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