Understanding Tea

Argentina’s Tea Industry: A Global Exporter and Growing Importer

Argentina, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and agricultural prowess, has established itself as a significant player in the global tea trade. In 2021, Argentina exported tea valued at $78.7M, positioning itself as the 17th largest exporter of tea worldwide. While tea ranked as the 91st most exported product from Argentina in that year, its prominence in Argentina’s trade landscape is evident.

Tea Imports Exports

Argentinian Tea Exports

The United States emerged as the top destination for Argentinian tea exports, importing tea worth $53.9M from Argentina. Chile followed with $4.77M, Germany with $3.68M, Poland with $3.65M, and Russia with $2.76M. These destinations signify the global appeal and demand for Argentinian tea.

Notably, the fastest-growing export markets for Argentina’s tea between 2020 and 2021 were the United States, with a substantial increase of $2.45M, followed by Vietnam with $380k, and Russia with $367k.

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AfricaKenya109
AfricaSouth Africa144
AsiaUnited Arab Emirates30,002
AsiaAzerbaijan129
AsiaChina840,108
AsiaCyprus32
AsiaIndonesia180
AsiaIndia1,439,153
AsiaSouth Korea404
AsiaSri Lanka66
AsiaMacau3,173
AsiaMalaysia725,280
AsiaPakistan171,369
AsiaSingapore27,697
AsiaThailand693
AsiaTurkey72,239
AsiaVietnam380,467
AsiaChinese Taipei76,454
EuropeAustria356
EuropeBelgium53,179
EuropeBosnia and Herzegovina2,402
EuropeBelarus110,819
EuropeSwitzerland247,644
EuropeCzechia58,421
EuropeGermany3,684,997
EuropeDenmark6
EuropeSpain168,632
EuropeFrance7,072
EuropeUnited Kingdom1,444,501
EuropeCroatia58
EuropeIreland1,197
EuropeIceland100
EuropeItaly8,513
EuropeLuxembourg1,435
EuropeLatvia46
EuropeMalta429
EuropeMontenegro5,295
EuropeNetherlands658,437
EuropeNorway711
EuropePoland3,652,001
EuropeRomania50
EuropeRussia2,764,777
EuropeSerbia10,310
EuropeSlovakia37,185
EuropeSweden1,758
EuropeUkraine54,449
North AmericaBermuda413
North AmericaBarbados160
North AmericaCanada493,576
North AmericaCayman Islands229
North AmericaDominican Republic15,888
North AmericaGuatemala202
North AmericaHonduras523
North AmericaPanama92,855
North AmericaUnited States53,890,851
OceaniaAustralia7,295
OceaniaNew Zealand233
South AmericaBolivia796,003
South AmericaBrazil105,125
South AmericaChile4,773,482
South AmericaColombia16,300
South AmericaEcuador9,033
South AmericaPeru1,087,270
South AmericaParaguay270,148
South AmericaUruguay390,760
Table: Where Does Argentina Export Its Tea (2021)

Tea Imports in Argentina

In 2021, Argentina imported tea valued at $2.77M, positioning itself as the 118th largest tea importer globally. Although tea ranked as the 732nd most imported product in Argentina that year, its import trends indicate a growing demand for a diverse range of teas within the country. Argentina primarily imports tea from China, Sri Lanka, Germany, Poland, and Tanzania. China held the largest share, accounting for $1.27M in tea imports, followed by Sri Lanka and Germany with $346k each, Poland with $303k, and Tanzania with $168k.

Notably, between 2020 and 2021, China witnessed significant growth in tea imports by Argentina, with an increase of $247k. Sri Lanka followed suit with a notable increase of $227k, while Poland experienced a rise of $125k.

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AfricaKenya87
AfricaRwanda3,316
AfricaTanzania167,777
AfricaUganda16,325
AsiaChina1,273,518
AsiaIndonesia1,322
AsiaIndia30,561
AsiaJapan37,001
AsiaSouth Korea2,597
AsiaSri Lanka345,554
AsiaThailand97
AsiaTurkey34
AsiaVietnam228
AsiaChinese Taipei13,460
EuropeGermany345,527
EuropeSpain14,231
EuropeFrance106
EuropeUnited Kingdom14,946
EuropeLuxembourg1,285
EuropeNetherlands114
EuropePoland303,280
North AmericaUnited States136,191
South AmericaChile60,025
Table: Where Does Argentina Import Its Tea (2021)

Potential Of Tea Import and Export Between Vietnam-Argentina

While the bilateral trade between Vietnam and Argentina may not currently reach significant levels, it is worth noting that Argentina’s tea imports in 2021 amounted to a total value of $228. Recognizing this, it becomes evident that Vietnam, as a global leader in tea production and export, has immense potential to collaborate with Argentina in introducing Vietnamese tea to the Argentina market in the foreseeable future.

Tariffs and Trade Dynamics

In 2018, the average tariff for tea imports in Argentina was 9.59%. Argentina maintains import tariffs to protect domestic tea production and support local industries. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea in Argentina were Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, each applying a Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment of 10%.

Conclusion

Argentina’s tea industry continues to grow, solidifying its position as a significant exporter and importer in the global tea trade. With a strong focus on quality and a diverse range of tea offerings, Argentina’s teas have captured the attention of consumers worldwide. As Argentina expands its tea exports to existing and emerging markets, the industry is poised for further growth. Additionally, Argentina’s growing imports reflect the evolving preferences and expanding tea culture within the country. As Argentina continues to navigate the global tea trade, it will play a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s dynamics and furthering the appreciation of tea among tea lovers around the world.

Data: BACI

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