Top Tea Exporting Countries in 2026: Which Country Is The Highest Exporter Of Tea?
Key Takeaways
- Sri Lanka is the largest exporter of tea in the world by tracked export value at US$651.91 million (59.82%) between January and July 2026, powered by yTrade HS 0902 export records. India followed at US$156.08 million (14.32%) and Vietnam at US$140.52 million (12.90%).
- The top five top tea exporting countries are Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Malawi, and Uganda, ranked by the declared value of their verified tea shipments. By global volume, Kenya and China lead worldwide, so these rankings reflect the verified value yTrade maps to named counterparties.
- Bulk black tea under HS 090240 is the major tea export type at US$615.19 million (56.45%), followed by packaged black tea under HS 090230 at US$370.75 million. Turkey, Afghanistan, and the UAE were the top tracked destination markets.
Tea exporting countries figures in this article come from yTrade HS 0902 export records for January to July 2026.
Which Country Is The Largest Tea Exporter In The World? Top 5 Tea Exporting Countries
Sri Lanka leads all tea exporting countries in yTrade's HS 0902 data at US$651.91 million (January–July 2026), the highest tea exporting country in the tracked records, ahead of India at US$156.08 million and Vietnam at US$140.52 million, based on yTrade's HS 0902 export data. The wider top ten of these tea exporting countries also includes Argentina, Indonesia, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Iran:
- Sri Lanka: US$651.91 million (59.82%) — the premium Ceylon origin whose orthodox leaf commands the highest average prices, with Turkey its largest tracked destination market.
- India: US$156.08 million (14.32%) — a global producer shipping both orthodox and CTC tea, with the UAE leading its tracked destinations ahead of Russia and Iraq.
- Vietnam: US$140.52 million (12.90%) — Asia's fifth-largest tea exporter by volume, sending most tracked value to Afghanistan, Mainland China, and Taiwan.
- Malawi: US$39.61 million (3.63%) — Africa's second-largest tea producer, with the United Kingdom its dominant tracked destination at more than a third of value.
- Uganda: US$30.36 million (2.79%) — a regional feeder origin where more than 75% of tracked value moves to neighbouring Kenya for auction and re-export.
| # | Country of Origin | No. of Suppliers | Shipments | Value (US$) | Value % | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 651,913,110.23 | 59.82% | 117,025,878.03 |
| 2 | India | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 156,075,448.00 | 14.32% | 48,626,163.95 |
| 3 | Vietnam | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 140,521,841.95 | 12.90% | 66,508,429.53 |
| 4 | Malawi | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 39,605,379.43 | 3.63% | 26,452,508.10 |
| 5 | Uganda | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 30,359,926.26 | 2.79% | 34,077,546.80 |
| 6 | Argentina | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 22,811,303.58 | 2.09% | 26,607,951.25 |
| 7 | Indonesia | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 20,336,362.44 | 1.87% | 13,599,340.35 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 10,299,925.32 | 0.95% | 65,300.80 |
| 9 | Tanzania | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 5,747,138.16 | 0.53% | 4,283,934.78 |
| 10 | Iran | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 5,179,696.56 | 0.48% | 4,947,012.44 |
Source: yTrade, HS 0902 export records by country of origin, January–July 2026.
Top #1 Tea Exporting Country: Sri Lanka — US$651.9 Million
Sri Lanka is the largest tea exporter country in yTrade's HS 0902 data at US$651.91 million, and its tracked tea spreads across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Its top export partners are:
- Turkey: US$109.31 million (16.83%)
- Russia: US$60.93 million (9.38%)
- Iraq: US$42.44 million (6.53%)
- Azerbaijan: US$42.38 million (6.52%)
- Saudi Arabia: US$33.38 million (5.14%)
| # | Destination | No. of Buyers | Shipments | Value (US$) | Value % | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turkey | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 109,307,567.58 | 16.83% | 21,858,676.52 |
| 2 | Russia | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 60,928,779.84 | 9.38% | 12,090,525.95 |
| 3 | Iraq | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 42,443,920.35 | 6.53% | 10,783,900.68 |
| 4 | Azerbaijan | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 42,384,531.57 | 6.52% | 7,264,574.83 |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 33,375,304.11 | 5.14% | 4,241,766.91 |
Source: yTrade, HS 0902 export records, Sri Lanka destinations, January–July 2026.
Sri Lanka is the highest tea exporting country in yTrade's 2026 tracking by tracked value, yet its official trade data shows a market under pressure. Tea export volume declined roughly 5% year on year to 166.3 million kg between January and August 2026, while US dollar earnings slipped to about US$948 million from US$1.026 billion a year earlier. The average FOB price eased 3% to around US$5.70 per kg.
Demand stayed firm, so the decline came from costs and currency. Because higher freight and insurance costs cut into dollar earnings and disruption at the UAE trans-shipment hub forced exporters to redirect shipments, the market reshaped around new buyers. In fact, Turkey nearly doubled its intake to 24.7 million kg to become the top partner, while shipments to Iraq contracted 45% and to the UAE dropped 65%.
- Sri Lankan tea export volume fell about 5% year on year through August 2026: declining to 166.3 million kg as lower shipment volumes outweighed higher rupee prices.
- US dollar earnings slipped to around US$948 million: down from US$1.026 billion a year earlier, pressured by rising freight and insurance costs.
- Turkey nearly doubled its intake to 24.7 million kg: rising to Sri Lanka's top destination while Iraq and the UAE both contracted sharply.
Read more: Gold Exporting Countries 2026: Top 5 By Export Value
Top #2 Tea Exporting Country: India — US$156.1 Million
India is the second-largest tea exporter country in yTrade's HS 0902 data at US$156.08 million, and its tracked tea sells mainly into the Gulf and Eurasia. Its top export partners are:
- United Arab Emirates: US$33.73 million (21.67%)
- Russia: US$16.62 million (10.68%)
- Iraq: US$14.91 million (9.58%)
- Iran: US$13.62 million (8.75%)
- United States: US$10.24 million (6.58%)
| # | Destination | No. of Buyers | Shipments | Value (US$) | Value % | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Arab Emirates | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 33,731,557.41 | 21.67% | 10,069,009.49 |
| 2 | Russia | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 16,619,854.05 | 10.68% | 7,512,517.61 |
| 3 | Iraq | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 14,905,023.54 | 9.58% | 6,275,687.64 |
| 4 | Iran | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 13,618,523.07 | 8.75% | 4,888,962.10 |
| 5 | United States | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 10,236,984.05 | 6.58% | 1,613,329.66 |
Source: yTrade, HS 0902 export records, India destinations, January–July 2026.
India set a new export record on the strength of premium leaf, and that run carried into 2026. The country shipped a record 280.40 million kg in 2025, up from 256.17 million kg the year before, with export earnings rising to Rs 8,488.43 crore, because orthodox tea led by Assam whole-leaf grades drew premium buyers toward terroir-driven products.
Most of that demand concentrated in the Middle East and a fast-growing China, since Iraq lifted its intake to 52.59 million kg from 40.47 million while the UAE took 50.71 million kg and Mainland China more than doubled its purchases to 16.13 million kg. Shipments to the United States weakened through 2026 as tariff disruption raised costs, so Indian exporters leaned harder on Gulf and Asian markets to hold their record pace.
- India shipped a record 280.40 million kg in 2025: up from 256.17 million kg a year earlier, with orthodox Assam leaf driving the premium gain.
- Iraq and the UAE anchored Middle East demand: at 52.59 million kg and 50.71 million kg respectively, India's two largest single markets.
- Mainland China more than doubled its intake to 16.13 million kg: rising from 6.24 million kg as Chinese buyers absorbed more Indian orthodox tea.
Read more: Textile Exports By Country 2026: Top Suppliers By Value
Top #3 Tea Exporting Country: Vietnam — US$140.5 Million
Vietnam is the third-largest of the tea exporting countries in yTrade's HS 0902 data at US$140.52 million, and its tracked tea concentrates in Central and East Asia. Its top export partners are:
- Afghanistan: US$38.28 million (28.41%)
- China Mainland: US$29.46 million (21.87%)
- Taiwan, China: US$15.53 million (11.53%)
- Pakistan: US$7.72 million (5.73%)
- Russia: US$6.00 million (4.45%)
| # | Destination | No. of Buyers | Shipments | Value (US$) | Value % | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Afghanistan | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 38,279,328.50 | 28.41% | 18,705,167.00 |
| 2 | China Mainland | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 29,462,136.98 | 21.87% | 5,921,911.00 |
| 3 | Taiwan, China | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 15,533,646.31 | 11.53% | 7,532,111.10 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 7,716,609.45 | 5.73% | 4,349,135.00 |
| 5 | Russia | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 6,000,552.75 | 4.45% | 3,540,527.50 |
Source: yTrade, HS 0902 export records, Vietnam destinations, January–July 2026.
Vietnam is Asia's fifth-largest tea exporter country, and 2026 brought softer volume but firmer prices. From the Voice of Vietnam, Vietnamese tea exports reached 43,200 tonnes worth US$74.7 million between January and May 2026, down 7.1% in volume and 2.5% in value year on year, while the average export price climbed 4.9% to US$1,730 per tonne. The price gain reflects a gradual move toward higher-grade products, though Vietnamese tea still sells below the global average.
Destination demand also reshaped the market, as Taiwan became the largest buyer at 4,800 tonnes and lifted its purchase value 17% while its average price rose to US$1,912 per tonne, even as shipments to Mainland China eased 14.1% and the United States grew 14.5%. Emerging markets expanded fast at the same time, with India up 18.1% and the Philippines up 93.6% in value, so Vietnam widened its buyer base even as traditional volume contracted.
- Vietnamese tea exports eased to 43,200 tonnes through May 2026: down 7.1% in volume as the market traded lower quantity for higher grade.
- The average export price rose 4.9% to US$1,730 per tonne: reflecting a gradual move toward premium product, though still below the global average.
- Taiwan became Vietnam's largest market: lifting its intake value 17% at an average price of US$1,912 per tonne, well above the national average.
Read more: Palm Oil Exports By Country 2026: Top Origins By Value
Top #4 Tea Exporting Country: Malawi — US$39.6 Million
Malawi is the fourth-largest of the tea exporting countries in yTrade's HS 0902 data at US$39.61 million, and its tracked tea leans on the UK and regional African buyers. Its top export partners are:
- United Kingdom: US$14.67 million (37.04%)
- South Africa: US$7.99 million (20.16%)
- Pakistan: US$4.22 million (10.66%)
- United States: US$1.88 million (4.76%)
- Saudi Arabia: US$1.29 million (3.25%)
| # | Destination | No. of Buyers | Shipments | Value (US$) | Value % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Kingdom | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 14,669,043.00 | 37.04% |
| 2 | South Africa | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 7,985,077.97 | 20.16% |
| 3 | Pakistan | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 4,219,976.22 | 10.66% |
| 4 | United States | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 1,883,773.20 | 4.76% |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 1,285,805.99 | 3.25% |
Source: yTrade, HS 0902 export records, Malawi destinations, January–July 2026.
Malawi is Africa's second-largest tea producer, and 2026 has been a year of price pressure for its mostly bulk output. Based on the World Bank Commodity Markets Outlook cited by Africa Sustainability Matters, global tea prices are projected to decline a further 2% in 2026 after a 4% drop in 2025, with first-quarter prices falling 8% quarter on quarter as abundant Indian supply weighed on the market. African producers, which account for close to 20% of global tea exports, carried much of that weakness.
Because its tea leaves the country mainly as low-grade bulk black tea for blending, Malawi's earnings track the volatile auction price. Smallholders who depend on tea for income face the sharpest squeeze when prices slide, and weather disruption across parts of East and Southern Africa added yield pressure through the year. As a result, Malawi's value held up only because volume stayed steady.
- Global tea prices are projected to fall 2% in 2026: following a 4% decline in 2025, with Q1 prices down 8% on abundant Indian supply.
- African producers account for close to 20% of global tea exports: a share built mainly on bulk black tea sold at auction.
- Malawi's bulk output ties earnings to the auction price: leaving smallholders most exposed when international tea prices weaken.
Top #5 Tea Exporting Country: Uganda — US$30.4 Million
Uganda is the fifth-largest of the tea exporting countries in yTrade's HS 0902 data at US$30.36 million, and about three-quarters of its tracked tea crosses into Kenya for auction and re-export. Its top export partners are:
- Kenya: US$22.87 million (75.35%)
- Sudan: US$3.33 million (10.98%)
- South Sudan: US$3.02 million (9.94%)
- China Mainland: US$0.62 million (2.04%)
- Congo (Kinshasa): US$0.33 million (1.09%)
| # | Destination | No. of Buyers | Shipments | Value (US$) | Value % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenya | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 22,870,990.74 | 75.35% |
| 2 | Sudan | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 3,333,379.69 | 10.98% |
| 3 | South Sudan | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 3,017,098.59 | 9.94% |
| 4 | China Mainland | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 618,306.21 | 2.04% |
| 5 | Congo (Kinshasa) | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 331,321.69 | 1.09% |
Source: yTrade, HS 0902 export records, Uganda destinations, January–July 2026.
Global auction prices for standard black CTC tea, Uganda's main grade, have fallen sharply amid oversupply and changing consumer habits. The pressure has pushed some farmers in the Rwenzori and Ankole regions to uproot tea bushes and switch to coffee, bananas, or maize.
In response, researchers are steering the sector toward higher-value product, since a low-cost cottage factory model launched in late 2025 now lets cooperatives produce specialty white, green, oolong, and purple teas that earn a high price per kilogram. Uganda's tea still depends on volatile bulk markets, because most of its output moves as unbranded leaf into regional trade. As a result, moving into specialty grades gives farmers a way to lift earnings when bulk prices fall.
- Standard black CTC prices have fallen sharply: squeezing Uganda's mostly bulk output amid oversupply and shifting consumer demand.
- Some farmers are uprooting tea for coffee and bananas: a response to earnings that fell below transport and processing costs in parts of Rwenzori and Ankole.
- A cottage factory model is steering Uganda toward specialty tea: producing white, green, oolong, and purple grades that earn far more per kilogram than bulk black tea.
What Are The Major Tea Export Types in 2026?
Bulk black tea under HS 090240 is the major tea export type for these tea exports by country, at US$615.19 million between January and July 2026, followed by packaged black tea under HS 090230 at US$370.75 million (34.02%), from yTrade's HS 0902 records.
- HS 090240 (black tea, fermented, bulk): US$615.19 million (56.45%) — large-consignment bulk black tea headed for blending and repackaging, the backbone of the auction trade.
- HS 090230 (black tea, fermented, packaged over 3kg): US$370.75 million (34.02%) — black tea in larger retail and wholesale packs, the most-shipped subheading by consignment count.
- HS 090220 (green tea, over 3kg): US$80.70 million (7.41%) — bulk and wholesale green tea, led by Vietnamese and Chinese-style product.
- HS 090210 (green tea, 3kg or less): US$22.07 million (2.03%) — retail-pack green tea in small consignments for finished-product markets.
- HS 090121 (roasted coffee, non-decaffeinated): — a negligible tracked line under US$1 million, appearing where mixed beverage shipments cross into the dataset.
| # | HS Code | Description | Value (US$) | Value % | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 90240 | Black tea, fermented, bulk | 615,190,891.34 | 56.45% | 242,962,517.82 |
| 2 | 90230 | Black tea, fermented, packaged over 3kg | 370,753,175.11 | 34.02% | 61,269,592.35 |
| 3 | 90220 | Green tea, over 3kg | 80,700,404.75 | 7.41% | 38,133,755.24 |
| 4 | 90210 | Green tea, 3kg or less | 22,071,928.39 | 2.03% | 2,618,312.66 |
Source: yTrade, HS 0902 export records by subheading, January–July 2026.
Who Are The Biggest Tea Suppliers In 2026?
The companies below are verified suppliers on yTrade behind these tea exporting countries, concentrated among established Sri Lankan and Vietnamese exporters, from yTrade's HS 0902 verified supplier records for January to July 2026:
- Akbar Brothers Private Limited (Sri Lanka): a Colombo-based exporter and one of the most established names in Ceylon tea.
- Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC (Sri Lanka): a Peliyagoda-based producer known for single-origin branded Ceylon tea.
- Finlays Colombo Ltd (Sri Lanka): a long-standing Colombo tea and extracts business with a high reconciliation rate.
- The Vietnam National Tea - Joint Stock Corporation (Vietnam): a Hanoi-based state-linked exporter and one of Vietnam's largest tea trading entities.
- Shan Teas Private Limited (Sri Lanka): a specialist Ceylon tea exporter with one of the cleanest verified records on the platform.
| # | Verified Supplier | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akbar Brothers Private Limited | Sri Lanka |
| 2 | Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC | Sri Lanka |
| 3 | Finlays Colombo Ltd | Sri Lanka |
| 4 | The Vietnam National Tea - Joint Stock Corporation | Vietnam |
| 5 | Shan Teas Private Limited | Sri Lanka |
Source: yTrade, HS 0902 verified supplier records, January–July 2026.
A supplier's match rate tells you how cleanly its tea shipments reconcile before you sign anything. Talk to yTrade to vet any counterparty:
- Pull a supplier's full shipment and reconciliation history
- Flag unmatched or re-consigned consignments early
- Confirm an exporter's real role across HS 0902 flows
Conclusion
yTrade's HS 0902 export records from January to July 2026 value the top tea exporting countries at a combined US$1.09 billion, led by Sri Lanka at US$651.91 million, India at US$156.08 million, and Vietnam at US$140.52 million. Bulk black tea under HS 090240 carried 56.45% of tracked value.
The data points to a two-tier market into 2027, with premium Ceylon and orthodox Indian leaf holding value while bulk African and Vietnamese grades ride falling auction prices, so your margin now depends more on grade and origin than on headline volume.
FAQ
Which country is the largest exporter of tea in the world?
By global volume, Kenya is the highest tea exporting country and the world's leading black tea exporter, accounting for close to 80% of Africa's tea exports, while China ranks second. In yTrade's HS 0902 tracked value from January to July 2026, Sri Lanka led at US$651.91 million.
What are the top tea exporting countries in 2026?
In yTrade's tracked HS 0902 records for January to July 2026, the top tea exporting countries by value are Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Malawi, and Uganda. Sri Lanka alone held 59.82% of tracked value, driven by premium Ceylon orthodox leaf that commands the highest average prices.
Which country produces the most tea?
China is the world's largest tea producer, growing about 3.92 million tonnes in 2025, more than half of global output. India ranks second in production, followed by Kenya and Sri Lanka, though production rank differs from export rank because China consumes most of its own tea domestically.
Why is Sri Lanka's tea export value so high?
Sri Lanka's Ceylon tea sells as premium orthodox leaf at far higher average prices than bulk black or green tea, so it earns more value on similar weight. This is why it leads tracked value among tea exporting countries even when its shipment volume declined through 2026.
yTrade contributor
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