United Kingdom: Tea Market Overview 2021

Tea Market Size in the UK

The UK tea market contracted to $X in 2019, declining by -X% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 when the market value increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2012 to 2019, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Tea Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2019, approx. X tonnes of tea were exported from the UK; picking up by X% compared with 2018. In general, exports, however, showed a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, exports reached the peak of X tonnes. From 2009 to 2019, the growth exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tea exports amounted to $X in 2019. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Exports peaked at $X in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tonnes), Canada (X tonnes) and the U.S. (X tonnes) were the main destinations of tea exports from the UK, with a combined X% share of total exports. These countries were followed by France, Poland, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Japan and Italy, which together accounted for a further X 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Poland, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X), the U.S. ($X) and Canada ($X) constituted the largest markets for tea exported from the UK worldwide, together accounting for X% of total exports. These countries were followed by France, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland, which together accounted for a further X Netherlands saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average tea export price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, waning by -X% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 an increase of X% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per tonne in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, export prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tea Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2019, approx. X tonnes of tea were imported into the UK; dropping by -X% on the previous year. In general, imports continue to indicate a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tonnes in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, imports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, tea imports fell to $X in 2019. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Kenya (X tonnes) constituted the largest tea supplier to the UK, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, tea imports from Kenya exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tonnes), fourfold. Malawi (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume from Kenya totaled -X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-X% per year) and Malawi (+X% per year).

In value terms, Kenya ($X) constituted the largest supplier of tea to the UK, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by India ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Malawi, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Kenya was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-X% per year) and Malawi (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average tea import price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, which is down by -X% against the previous year. Over the last twelve-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the average import price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per tonne in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per tonne), while the price for Argentina ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for tea in the world?

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China (2.5M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of tea consumption, accounting for 38% of total volume. Moreover, tea consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (1.1M tonnes), twofold. Turkey (279K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 4.3% share.

What are the largest producers of tea in the world?

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The country with the largest volume of tea production was China (2.8M tonnes), comprising approx. 42% of total volume. Moreover, tea production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (1.4M tonnes), twofold. Kenya (506K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7.6% share.

What are the leading suppliers of tea to the UK?

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In value terms, Kenya ($147M) constituted the largest supplier of tea to the UK, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by India ($49M), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Malawi, with a 6.8% share.

What are the leading importers of tea from the UK?

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In value terms, Ireland ($32M), the U.S. ($17M) and Canada ($16M) appeared to be the largest markets for tea exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 45% share of total exports. France, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

What is the average export price for tea in the UK?

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In 2019, the average tea export price amounted to $6,267 per tonne, reducing by -8.7% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for tea in the UK?

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In 2019, the average tea import price amounted to $2,880 per tonne, declining by -8% against the previous year.