United Kingdom: Tea Market 2025

Tea Market Size in the UK

The UK tea market soared to $X in 2022, increasing by 16% 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, however, continues to indicate a slight contraction. Tea consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Tea Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, shipments abroad of tea was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tea exports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons), Canada (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main destinations of tea exports from the UK, with a combined 52% share of total exports. The United States, the Netherlands, France, Spain, India, Switzerland, Japan, Germany and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +6.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X), the United States ($X) and Canada ($X) were the largest markets for tea exported from the UK worldwide, together comprising 47% of total exports. The Netherlands, France, Poland, Japan, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +26.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 ton in 2022, reducing by -11.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($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 Germany (+24.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tea Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, approx. X tons of tea were imported into the UK; surging by 7.9% against the year before. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced reduction. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tea imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced setback. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Kenya (X tons) constituted the largest tea supplier to the UK, with a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, tea imports from Kenya exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Malawi (X tons), with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Kenya was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-8.2% per year) and Malawi (+4.0% per year).

In value terms, Kenya ($X) constituted the largest supplier of tea to the UK, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Malawi, with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Kenya amounted to -2.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-4.6% per year) and Malawi (+3.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average tea import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 7.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 15%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Poland ($X per ton), while the price for Malawi ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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