> In 2024 South Africa produced 1,796 t of tea leaves, the 36th largest in the world (0.01% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 9.7%.

Source: https://husfarm.com/production/tea/south-africa/

[Home](https://husfarm.com/)›[Production](https://husfarm.com/production/)›[Tea leaves](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/)›South AfricaFAOSTAT · 1961–2024

# Tea leaves production in South Africa

In 2024 South Africa produced 1,796 t of tea leaves, the 36th largest in the world (0.01% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 9.7%. The record was 21,780 t in 2005. Area harvested: 907 ha, yield 2.0 t/ha.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.

[Today’s prices](https://husfarm.com/today-price/tea/)[Market prices in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/country/south-africa/)

Production, 20241,796 t
World rank36 of 46
10-year change−9.7%
Record21,780 t2005

## Tea leaves in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)

## South Africa compared with the world, 2024

Share of world total0.01%0.01% in 2014
Yield, t/ha2.0world 5.9 (−67%)
kg per person0.03world 4.01
10-year change−9.7%world +37%

### Position in the world ranking

| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 34 | [DR Congo](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/dr-congo/) | 2,014 | 0.01% |
| 35 | [Brazil](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/brazil/) | 2,011 | 0.01% |
| 36 | **South Africa** | 1,796 | 0.01% |
| 37 | [Azerbaijan](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/azerbaijan/) | 1,202 | 0.00% |
| 38 | [Bolivia](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/bolivia/) | 1,201 | 0.00% |

[Full ranking of 46 countries](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/)

### Map of world production of tea leaves

under 0.1%0.1–1%1–5%5–15%15% or moreno data
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.

## By year

| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024 | 1,796 | −1.9% | 907 | 1.98 |
| 2023 | 1,831 | +4.6% | 872 | 2.10 |
| 2022 | 1,750 | −3.2% | 835 | 2.10 |
| 2021 | 1,807 | −0.7% | 877 | 2.06 |
| 2020 | 1,819 | +1.5% | 882 | 2.06 |
| 2019 | 1,793 | −0.9% | 870 | 2.06 |
| 2018 | 1,809 | −2.4% | 878 | 2.06 |
| 2017 | 1,854 | +8.0% | 899 | 2.06 |
| 2016 | 1,716 | −7.6% | 834 | 2.06 |
| 2015 | 1,858 | −6.6% | 901 | 2.06 |
| 2014 | 1,990 | −8.3% | 962 | 2.07 |
| 2013 | 2,171 | +150% | 1,047 | 2.07 |
| 2012 | 870 | −52% | 419 | 2.08 |
| 2011 | 1,795 | +9.0% | 856 | 2.10 |
| 2010 | 1,647 | −5.5% | 777 | 2.12 |
| 2009 | 1,743 | −47% | 1,500 | 1.16 |
| 2008 | 3,290 | −48% | 1,515 | 2.17 |
| 2007 | 6,333 | +90% | 2,874 | 2.20 |
| 2006 | 3,328 | −85% | 1,486 | 2.24 |
| 2005 | 21,780 | +409% | 5,800 | 3.76 |
| 2004 | 4,279 | −65% | 2,200 | 1.95 |
| 2003 | 12,143 | −2.9% | 5,300 | 2.29 |
| 2002 | 12,500 | −1.3% | 6,200 | 2.02 |
| 2001 | 12,671 | +1.3% | 6,864 | 1.85 |
| 2000 | 12,514 | +3.6% | 6,861 | 1.82 |
| 1999 | 12,077 | −7.2% | 6,677 | 1.81 |
| 1998 | 13,010 | +59% | 6,700 | 1.94 |
| 1997 | 8,207 | −9.4% | 6,657 | 1.23 |
| 1996 | 9,062 | −24% | 6,327 | 1.43 |
| 1995 | 11,975 | +5.8% | 6,307 | 1.90 |
| 1994 | 11,316 | +7.4% | 6,130 | 1.85 |
| 1993 | 10,532 | +7.5% | 6,164 | 1.71 |
| 1992 | 9,801 | −12% | 6,164 | 1.59 |
| 1991 | 11,128 | −11% | 6,721 | 1.66 |
| 1990 | 12,441 | −4.3% | 6,326 | 1.97 |
| 1989 | 13,000 | +8.6% | 6,721 | 1.93 |
| 1988 | 11,967 | +4.0% | 6,534 | 1.83 |
| 1987 | 11,507 | +7.9% | 6,237 | 1.84 |
| 1986 | 10,663 | +16% | 6,273 | 1.70 |
| 1985 | 9,218 | +11% | 6,100 | 1.51 |
| 1984 | 8,301 | +17% | 6,000 | 1.38 |
| 1983 | 7,097 | +7.0% | 5,300 | 1.34 |
| 1982 | 6,631 | +21% | 5,000 | 1.33 |
| 1981 | 5,500 | −54% | 5,000 | 1.10 |
| 1980 | 12,000 | +139% | 6,000 | 2.00 |
| 1979 | 5,025 | +10% | 5,000 | 1.01 |
| 1978 | 4,561 | +32% | 4,500 | 1.01 |
| 1977 | 3,459 | 0.0% | 4,000 | 0.86 |
| 1976 | 3,459 | +22% | 3,500 | 0.99 |
| 1975 | 2,836 | −5.5% | 3,500 | 0.81 |
| 1974 | 3,000 | +20% | 3,000 | 1.00 |
| 1973 | 2,500 | +25% | 3,000 | 0.83 |
| 1972 | 2,000 | +33% | 2,400 | 0.83 |
| 1971 | 1,500 | +88% | 2,400 | 0.63 |
| 1970 | 800 | −60% | 2,400 | 0.33 |
| 1969 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,900 | 1.05 |
| 1968 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,500 | 1.33 |
| 1967 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,400 | 1.43 |
| 1966 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,100 | 1.82 |
| 1965 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,100 | 1.82 |
| 1964 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,100 | 1.82 |
| 1963 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,100 | 1.82 |
| 1962 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,100 | 1.82 |
| 1961 | 2,000 | — | 1,100 | 1.82 |

## Trade, 2024

Exports6,326 t USD 25.8 m
Exporter rank28 of 143
Imports26,316 t USD 37.9 m
Importer rank19 of 191
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. [World exporters and importers](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/)

## Questions and answers

### What is the production of tea leaves in South Africa?

South Africa produced 1,796 t in 2024, 0.01% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.

### Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of tea leaves?

South Africa ranked 36th of 46 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 49.7% of the world total.

### How has the production of tea leaves in South Africa changed?

It fell by 9.7% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +37% for the world. The record was 21,780 t in 2005.

### What is the yield of tea leaves in South Africa?

2.0 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (1,796 t from 907 ha), against a world average of 5.9 t/ha.

### Does South Africa export or import tea leaves?

In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 6,326 t (USD 25.8 m) and imports of 26,316 t (USD 37.9 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.

### Where does this data come from?

From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for South Africa is estimated by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.

## Other large producers

[China](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/china/)[India](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/india/)[Kenya](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/kenya/)[Sri Lanka](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/sri-lanka/)[Turkey](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/turkey/)[Vietnam](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/vietnam/)[Indonesia](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/indonesia/)[Bangladesh](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/bangladesh/)[Uganda](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/uganda/)[Argentina](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/argentina/)[Japan](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/japan/)[Malawi](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/malawi/)
[All countries producing tea leaves](https://husfarm.com/production/tea/)

## Other products of South Africa

[Sugar cane](https://husfarm.com/production/sugar-cane/south-africa/)[Maize](https://husfarm.com/production/maize/south-africa/)[Cow milk](https://husfarm.com/production/cow-milk/south-africa/)[Beer](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/south-africa/)[Potatoes](https://husfarm.com/production/potatoes/south-africa/)[Raw sugar](https://husfarm.com/production/raw-sugar/south-africa/)[Wheat](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/south-africa/)[Chicken meat](https://husfarm.com/production/chicken-meat/south-africa/)[Grapes](https://husfarm.com/production/grapes/south-africa/)[Soybeans](https://husfarm.com/production/soybeans/south-africa/)[Oranges](https://husfarm.com/production/oranges/south-africa/)[Apples](https://husfarm.com/production/apples/south-africa/)
[Agricultural production in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/production/country/south-africa/)

Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. [fao.org/faostat](https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL). Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.

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