Xin Ou
Research expert covering Greater China
Tea industry in China - statistics & facts
Despite changing lifestyles, tea remains China's favorite drink - making the country the world's largest producer, exporter, and consumer. The earliest credible record of tea drinking in China dates to around the 3rd century AD. For centuries, tea has played a vital role in the cultural, social, and even religious life of Chinese people, earning it a reputation as a national drink.
When it comes to international trade, China exported nearly 1.74 billion U.S. dollars of tea in 2023, about 450 million dollars more than Sri Lanka. Green tea accounts for the largest proportion of China’s total tea exports, while Morocco is China’s largest tea exporting destination. When it comes to imports, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and India are China’s most crucial tea import partners, and black tea comprises the absolute majority of tea imported to China.
Recently, growing health awareness among Chinese consumers has driven the growth of the sugar-free non-alcoholic beverage market. In response to this trend, many companies have introduced sugar-free or low-sugar tea drinks. In addition, some far-sighted players are exploring the use of various healthy ingredients in tea drinks, further promoting the innovation and development of the tea industry.
Tea production and trade
In 2023, China produced over three million metric tons of tea, accounting for nearly half of the global tea production. Approximately three-fifths of China’s tea production was green tea, a tea made from non-oxidized leaves. Tea plantation acreage in China has been consistently growing, with the most prolific tea-cultivation areas lying around and south of the Yangtze River valley in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Hubei provinces.When it comes to international trade, China exported nearly 1.74 billion U.S. dollars of tea in 2023, about 450 million dollars more than Sri Lanka. Green tea accounts for the largest proportion of China’s total tea exports, while Morocco is China’s largest tea exporting destination. When it comes to imports, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and India are China’s most crucial tea import partners, and black tea comprises the absolute majority of tea imported to China.
Tea consumption
Over the past decade, the country saw a rapid growth in the number of tea drinkers, especially in the urban areas. Though most Chinese still prefer to enjoy tea at home, freshly made tea shops have been contributing increasingly to total tea sales thanks to the popularity of new-style beverages/bubble tea.The tea-based drinks infused with milk, fruits, and even cream cheese have recently won the hearts of many young Chinese consumers.Recently, growing health awareness among Chinese consumers has driven the growth of the sugar-free non-alcoholic beverage market. In response to this trend, many companies have introduced sugar-free or low-sugar tea drinks. In addition, some far-sighted players are exploring the use of various healthy ingredients in tea drinks, further promoting the innovation and development of the tea industry.
