New Zealand: Tea Market 2025

Tea Market Size in New Zealand

For the third consecutive year, the New Zealand tea market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -16.2% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption showed a pronounced reduction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Tea Exports

Exports from New Zealand

In 2022, tea exports from New Zealand dropped notably to X tons, which is down by -67.7% compared with 2021 figures. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 328%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

In value terms, tea exports reduced notably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 240%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

Australia (X tons) was the main destination for tea exports from New Zealand, accounting for a 87% share of total exports. Moreover, tea exports to Australia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Australia amounted to +16.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+19.9% per year) and Fiji (-16.5% per year).

In value terms, Australia ($X) remains the key foreign market for tea exports from New Zealand, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with an 8.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Australia totaled +25.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+3.1% per year) and Fiji (-7.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average tea export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 76% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a resilient increase. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Australia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Fiji (+10.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Tea Imports

Imports into New Zealand

In 2022, tea imports into New Zealand dropped notably to X tons, which is down by -16.3% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 16%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tea imports dropped significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Sri Lanka (X tons), India (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons) were the main suppliers of tea imports to New Zealand, together accounting for 67% of total imports. Rwanda, Australia, Poland, Argentina and China lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Rwanda (with a CAGR of +708.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Sri Lanka ($X) constituted the largest supplier of tea to New Zealand, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Indonesia ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Sri Lanka amounted to -7.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Indonesia (-8.4% per year) and India (+14.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average tea import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -10.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+6.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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