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U.S. - Tea - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

U.S. - Tea - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Nov 30, 2024

Tea Imports in the U.S. Fall by 3% to $492 Million in 2023

U.S. Tea Imports

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of tea decreased by -13.2% to 104K tons in 2023. Over the period under review, imports showed a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 8.5%. Imports peaked at 131K tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2023, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tea imports shrank to $492M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $508M in 2022, and then declined modestly in the following year.U.S. Tea Imports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Tea in U.S. (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Japan34.131.738.345.352.664.061.979.290.980.5104
Argentina90.189.386.177.377.771.062.350.156.259.457.4
India61.160.259.056.158.151.255.556.668.564.453.8
China10593.110210492.694.276.450.454.664.347.8
Sri Lanka29.934.234.938.039.243.749.239.644.346.843.8
Canada28.422.424.229.138.233.336.137.223.522.521.8
Taiwan (Chinese)7.88.18.910.313.014.517.415.424.624.821.0
Germany26.923.622.916.514.314.012.913.816.517.915.3
Others92.210592.1106101101117112122127127
Total476467469483487487488454501508492

Imports by Country

In 2023, Argentina (43K tons) constituted the largest supplier of tea to the United States, accounting for a 42% share of total imports. Moreover, tea imports from Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (10K tons), fourfold. China (9.6K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 9.2% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Argentina totaled -1.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-2.8% per year) and China (-9.1% per year).

In value terms, the largest tea suppliers to the United States were Japan ($104M), Argentina ($57M) and India ($54M), together comprising 44% of total imports.

Japan, with a CAGR of +11.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports by Type

In 2023, tea, black; (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg (73K tons) constituted the largest type of tea supplied to the United States, with a 70% share of total imports. Moreover, tea, black; (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, tea, black; (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3kg (17K tons), fourfold. Tea, green; (not fermented), in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg (8.4K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.1% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the volume of tea, black; (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg imports stood at -2.5%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: tea, black; (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3kg (+2.1% per year) and tea, green; (not fermented), in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg (-7.4% per year).

In value terms, tea, black; (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3kg ($150M), tea, black; (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg ($148M) and tea, green; (not fermented), in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg ($99M) constituted the most imported types of tea in the United States, together comprising 81% of total imports. Tea, green; (not fermented), in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3kg lagged somewhat behind, accounting for a further 19%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the tea price amounted to $4,740 per ton (CIF, US), with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($32,549 per ton), while the price for Argentina ($1,325 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the tea market in the U.S.. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • FCL 667 - Tea

Country coverage:

  • United States

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in the U.S.
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. COUNTRIES WITH TOP YIELDS
    4. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    5. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012-2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    10. Exports Prices, By Country, 2012-2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply Vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply Vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, by Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, by Product
    12. Exports and Growth, by Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, by Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Yield and Growth
    16. Exports and Growth
    17. Export Prices and Growth
    18. Market Size and Growth
    19. Per Capita Consumption
    20. Imports and Growth
    21. Import Prices
    22. Production, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Production, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Harvested Area: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Yield: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    26. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    27. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    28. Imports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2024
    29. Imports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    30. Imports, in Value Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    31. Import Prices, by Country, 2012-2024
    32. Exports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    33. Exports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    34. Exports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2024
    35. Exports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    36. Exports, in Value Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    37. Export Prices, by Country, 2012-2024

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