Cote d’Ivoire’s Tea Trade: Exports and Imports

Tea, a timeless and cherished beverage enjoyed by people around the world, has also been a significant player in Cote d’Ivoire’s international trade. In 2021, Cote d’Ivoire demonstrated its active involvement in the global tea market, serving as both an exporter and importer of this aromatic and popular product.

Tea Exports from Cote d’Ivoire

In 2021, Cote d’Ivoire’s tea exports amounted to $151 thousand, positioning the country as the 111th largest tea exporter in the world. While tea wasn’t the top export commodity for Cote d’Ivoire, it still held a notable position, ranking as the 238th most exported product from the country. Cote d’Ivoire’s tea found its way to various destinations, contributing to the nation’s active participation in the global tea market.

Among the primary destinations for Cote d’Ivoire’s tea exports were the United Arab Emirates, Burkina Faso, Canada, the United States, and France. The United Arab Emirates emerged as the leading recipient, importing tea worth $46.8 thousand from Cote d’Ivoire. Burkina Faso followed closely behind with $42 thousand, while Canada, the United States, and France also played significant roles, importing tea valued at $26.6 thousand, $20.5 thousand, and $8.31 thousand, respectively.

One intriguing aspect of Cote d’Ivoire’s tea export market was the notable growth observed in certain destinations between 2020 and 2021. The United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Canada were the fastest-growing export markets for Cote d’Ivoire during this period. The United Arab Emirates, in particular, displayed remarkable growth with an increase of $46.8 thousand in tea imports from Cote d’Ivoire. The United States followed suit with $20.5 thousand, while Canada showed promising growth with $14.1 thousand in additional tea imports.

Continent	Country	Trade Value
Africa	Burkina Faso	41,988
Africa	Kenya	34
Asia	United Arab Emirates	46,809
Asia	Indonesia	19
Asia	South Korea	5
Asia	Sri Lanka	66
Europe	Belgium	173
Europe	Switzerland	101
Europe	France	8,312
Europe	United Kingdom	5,970
Europe	Ireland	2
North America	Canada	26,649
North America	United States	20,549

Tea Imports to Cote d’Ivoire

In contrast to its tea exports, Cote d’Ivoire’s tea imports were substantial in 2021, amounting to $23.9 million. This positioned the country as the 58th largest importer of tea in the world that year, and tea ranked as the 117th most imported product in Cote d’Ivoire. The demand for tea within the country was evident, as it relied heavily on imports to satisfy domestic consumption.

China, a major tea producer, emerged as the primary source of tea imports for Cote d’Ivoire, accounting for the majority of the import value. In 2021, Cote d’Ivoire imported tea worth $12.3 million from China. Sri Lanka followed as a distant second, supplying $4.92 million, while Kenya, India, and France also played significant roles in the tea import market, contributing with $3.22 million, $2.89 million, and $256 thousand, respectively.

Similar to the export market, Cote d’Ivoire’s tea imports also experienced remarkable growth in specific markets between 2020 and 2021. China, Sri Lanka, and Kenya were the fastest-growing import markets for tea in Cote d’Ivoire during this period. Notably, Cote d’Ivoire witnessed a substantial increase of $6.15 million in tea imports from China, followed by Sri Lanka with $1.52 million, and Kenya with $1.28 million.

Continent	Country	Trade Value
Africa	Burkina Faso	3,381
Africa	Kenya	3,215,539
Africa	Morocco	59,120
Africa	Mauritius	153
Africa	Niger	15,174
Africa	Senegal	25,867
Africa	South Africa	219
Asia	United Arab Emirates	215,428
Asia	China	12,294,910
Asia	India	2,894,621
Asia	Lebanon	20,196
Asia	Sri Lanka	4,917,626
Asia	Thailand	7,214
Asia	Turkey	2,270
Europe	France	255,842
Europe	Netherlands	429
Europe	Portugal	114

Conclusion

Tea remains an essential aspect of Cote d’Ivoire’s international trade, with the country actively participating as both an exporter and importer. While Cote d’Ivoire exports tea to various countries, it relies significantly on imports to meet the domestic demand for this beloved beverage.

China, as a major tea-producing nation, plays a pivotal role in Cote d’Ivoire’s tea trade, serving as the primary source of imports. Additionally, countries like Sri Lanka and Kenya have also emerged as vital partners for both Cote d’Ivoire’s tea exports and imports.

As Cote d’Ivoire continues to engage in the global tea market, fostering strategic trade relationships and monitoring market trends will be crucial to leverage its position as a tea trader. With proper planning and sustained efforts, Cote d’Ivoire can navigate the tea trade landscape effectively, promoting economic growth and sharing the joy of tea with its people and the world.

Data: BACI