In an effort to expand into new markets and increase its European presence, Türkiye continues to focus on value-added products and promotion of its high-quality teas. Photo credit: T24
According to data compiled from the Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association (DKİB), Türkiye exported tea to 122 countries, autonomous regions, and free zones last year. A total of 6,266 tons of tea were exported from the country, generating $34.8 million in revenue. Tea exports increased by 38% in value and 25% in quantity compared to the previous year.
The country supplied $12.7 million worth of tea to Belgium, making Belgium the largest destination for Turkish tea exports. Exports to the United Kingdom reached $5.8 million, while shipments to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus totaled $2.6 million.
Belgium’s strong demand is partly supported by its large Turkish community, particularly in cities such as Brussels and Antwerp. In addition, Belgium serves as a key distribution hub, with imported Turkish tea often re-exported or supplied to neighboring markets, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
DKİB vice chairman of the board and tea sector committee chairman Şaban Turgut said, “Our goal in the coming period is to increase our market share in existing markets while also expanding into new markets. In particular, we will accelerate our efforts to deepen our presence, especially in Europe, as well as to increase the awareness of Turkish tea in the Middle East, North America, and the Far East markets.”
By the end of the year, DKİB aims to significantly increase its export figures and boost export revenue per kilogram with high-value-added, packaged, and branded products. They will continue their promotional efforts to increase the awareness of Turkish tea, especially in countries with high purchasing power, primarily in Europe.
Approximately 48% of Türkiye's tea export revenue comes from Rize. According to the Rize Commodity Exchange, 182 tea factories operate in the tea sector. Forty-nine of these belong to Çaykur (the state-owned tea company), and 133 are privately owned. 104 of these factories are located in Rize, 21 in Trabzon, five in Giresun, and three in Artvin.
Tea production costs are high in Türkiye. While raw material costs are in the 60-65% range in tea-producing countries worldwide, they are in the 75-80% range in the country. The high production costs discourage businesses from exporting. However, global demand drives the ambitions of Türkiye's big tea exporters.
In April, Doğuş Çay, the country’s second-largest tea producer, announced a €109.6 million ($127.7 million) investment for a food manufacturing complex in Orosháza, Hungary. The complex includes iced tea processing facilities and marks the company’s first expansion outside of Türkiye.
Efor Çay, the third-largest tea producer in Türkiye by production volume, plans to increase its production capacity by 100% and its production area by 85%. Its distribution channel has also expanded tenfold.
In the meantime, Çaykur continues to expand its product range, and its herbal tea products under the MOD series are currently in the preparation phase. Çaykur general manager Yusuf Ziya Alim said, “New products made from blueberries, also known as bilberries or cranberries in the region, will be launched. We are considering releasing a different product in the form of blueberry black tea and blueberry white tea."