China was the world’s largest tea grower, and second largest exporter in 2024, however the average export price per kilo dropped nearly 20%. Photo credit: Seele An
According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, tea exports in 2024 increased to 374,100 metric tons, generating $1.42 billion in revenue —a decline of 18.4% compared to 2023, when tea exports totaled $1.74 billion.
The average export price per kilo declined sharply by 19.8% to $3.80 per kilo in 2024. Seven of China’s top 10 trading partners in 2024 paid less per kilo for Chinese tea than in 2023.
China held a 14.2% revenue share of the global tea market in 2023. That share increased slightly in 2024 to 14.3%, indicating the stability of China’s position as the top tea grower and second-largest tea exporter by volume behind Kenya, which mainly exports black tea.
Exports by Type
Green tea (excluding white) totaled 323,800 metric tons and generated $1.07 billion in revenue. Black tea accounted for 6.6%, or 24,758 metric tons, generating $171 million, a 35% decrease compared to the 2023 export value and 14.8% below the 2023 value of $267 million. China exported 512 metric tons of dark tea, 1,444 metric tons of Pu’er tea, and 138 metric tons of scented tea (excluding Jasmine exports, which totaled 7,486 metric tons and sold for an average of $7.50 per kilogram).
White tea, a type of green tea categorized separately in trade, was the most expensive tea sold by China last year, averaging $13 per kilo on a volume of 455 metric tons.
Source: China National Bureau of Statistics
African Markets Lead in Volume
Africa remains China’s most important tea export destination, both in terms of volume and value, with exports of 144,876 metric tons valued at $59.83 million to five nations in 2024. Prices, however, averaged $3.44 per kilo, indicating bulk sales of inexpensive green tea.
Exports to Morocco increased by 34.7% to 81,000 metric tons compared to 2023. Morocco alone accounts for 40% of the African total, spending $24.26 million in 2024. Unit prices, however, averaged $3.01 per kilo, the lowest among China’s African trading partners. Morocco blenders package and ship Chinese tea to five nearby North African and sub-Saharan countries.
Ghana was second with imports of 38,622 metric tons of both black and green tea, mainly for blending and mass consumption. Exports to Ghana totaled $15.37 million, averaging $3.98 per kilo. Mauritania, Senegal, and Algeria also rank among China’s top 10 export destinations.
The total tea export volume from China has oscillated over the past three years. Exports in 2023 totaled 367,500 metric tons, a slight decrease (-2%) in volume but 17.4% higher in value than in 2022.
Sellers Rush to Stock US Warehouses
China was one of America’s top trading partners in 2024, an unlikely outcome in 2025 as tariffs have since increased to 61.5%.
Tea exports to the US surged in 2024 under the threat of tariffs, accounting for 9.6% of total US tea imports, making the US China’s eighth-largest tea trading partner by volume.
The National Bureau of Statistics reports that the value of tea exports shipped to the US increased by 37.5%, compared to a modest overall volume increase of 1.8%, equivalent to 11,855 metric tons. Value grew by 9.4% to $6.14 million. Meanwhile, the average unit price of $5.20 per kilo fell by 20.5% compared to the 2023 average.
Americans prefer more expensive teas, averaging $5.20 per kilo, the highest unit price of China’s top ten trading partners. Green tea, organic tea, specialty oolongs, and powdered tea account for the premium.
Other Key Markets
Chinese tea exports to Russia surpassed shipments to the US by volume, totaling 16,765 metric tons. However, Russia paid an average of only $3.50 per kilo, spending $58.68 million, to rank 6th by value among China’s top ten tea trading partners. Russia imports mainly black tea from China, as well as brick tea and lower-grade loose-leaf teas.
Japan has a refined taste for Chinese tea, spending an average of $4.90 per kilo. Imports totaled 10,205 metric tons, for which the Japanese paid $5 million, down 4.7% in value compared to 2023.
China Retaliates
On April 4, China announced tariffs of 34% on all goods imported from the US, effective April 10.
China’s State Council Tariff Commission issued this statement:
“This practice of the US is not in line with international trade rules, seriously undermines China’s legitimate rights and interests, and is a typical unilateral bullying practice.”
It seems unlikely there will be another flood of Chinese imports in 2025--more likely, a drought.