Tea
There are many different types of tea, but all of them come from the same plant - Camellia sinensis. This evergreen shrub is native to Asia and has been cultivated for centuries for its leaves, which are used to make tea. Tea is usually classified according to how it is processed. For example, green tea is made from unfermented leaves, while black tea is made from fully fermented leaves. Other types of tea include white tea, which is made from young leaves, and oolong tea, which is made from partially fermented leaves.
Tea has a long history in Asia, where it has been used for centuries both as a beverage and as a medicinal remedy. In China, tea is traditionally consumed at social gatherings and is often given as a gift. Tea drinking was first introduced to Japan in the 8th century, and the Japanese have since developed their own unique culture around tea. Today, tea is enjoyed all over the world and is one of the most popular beverages. Whether you like it sweetened or unsweetened, with milk or without, there's a tea out there for everyone.
According to the World Tea Association, the production of tea worldwide totaled 4.7 million metric tons in 2017. The top five producing countries were China (2.25 million metric tons), India (1.27 million metric tons), Kenya (451,000 metric tons), Sri Lanka ( 364,000 metric tons), and Vietnam (263,000 metric tons). These five countries account for more than 75% of the world's tea production.
In general, tea production is concentrated in a few countries in Asia and Africa. In fact, more than 60% of the world's tea is produced in just four countries: China, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. This is not surprising given that the climatic conditions in these countries are well suited for tea production. For example, tea plants require a lot of sunlight and heat to flourish, and the countries mentioned above all have tropical or subtropical climates.
Interestingly, China is both the leading producer and consumer of tea in the world. In 2017, China consumed almost 1.9 million metric tons of tea, which is nearly 40% of the world's total tea consumption. This is not surprising given that tea has been a part of Chinese culture for centuries, and the country is home to some of the most famous teas in the world, such as pu'er and oolong.
Despite being the leading producer of tea, China is not the largest exporter of tea. That honor goes to Sri Lanka, which exported 369,000 metric tons of tea in 2017. This is followed by Kenya (363,000 metric tons), India (333,000 metric tons), and Vietnam (212,000 metric tons). Together, these four countries account for more than 80% of the world's tea exports.
Global tea production
According to the World Trade Organization, global tea production totaled 4.7 million metric tons in 2016. This figure has remained relatively steady over the past few years, with only a slight increase from 4.6 million metric tons in 2015. The top five tea-producing countries are India, China, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. Combined, these countries account for approximately 75% of the world's tea production.
Tea is grown in many different countries around the world, but the vast majority of it is produced in just a handful of nations. India is by far the largest tea-producing country, accounting for nearly 40% of global output in 2016. China is a distant second, with 22% of the world's tea production. Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Turkey round out the top five, with approximately 6%, 5%, and 4% of global output, respectively.
While the total amount of tea produced each year has remained relatively stable in recent years, there have been some changes in which countries are producing the most. In particular, Kenya has seen a significant increase in output, while production in India and China has remained relatively flat. As a result, Kenya is now the third-largest tea-producing country in the world, up from fourth place just a few years ago.
The global tea industry is worth an estimated $40 billion annually, with black tea accounting for the lion's share of sales. More than 80% of the tea produced each year is black tea, while green tea makes up just 15%. The remaining 5% of output is divided between oolong, white, and dark teas.
While black tea is by far the most popular type of tea globally, there are some regional variations. For example, green tea is much more popular in China than it is elsewhere. In fact, nearly 80% of the tea consumed in China is green tea, while black tea makes up just 20%. The reverse is true in India, where black tea accounts for about 80% of consumption and green tea make up just 20%.
When it comes to tea consumption, per capita figures can vary widely from country to country. In general, though, countries with large populations tend to consume the most tea overall. Not surprisingly, then, the top five tea-consuming nations are all populous countries: China, India, Pakistan, Russia, and Turkey. Collectively, these countries account for more than 60% of global tea consumption.
Not all countries are major tea producers and consumers, of course. In fact, there are a number of nations where tea is not particularly popular and production levels are relatively low. Some examples include the United States, where per capita tea consumption is just 1.6 cups per year, and Brazil, where it is just 0.4 cups. Tea production in these countries is similarly low, totaling just 9,000 metric tons and 3,000 metric tons, respectively, in 2016.