Understanding Tea

Saudi Arabia’s Thriving Tea Trade: Examining Exports, Imports, and Market Trends

Saudi Arabia, renowned for its vibrant economy and growing trade sector, plays a significant role in the global tea market.

Tea Imports Exports

Tea Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2021, Saudi Arabia exported tea worth $15.9 million, securing its position as the 40th largest tea exporter worldwide. Among Saudi Arabia’s exported products, tea ranked 248th in terms of export volume during the same year. The primary destinations for Saudi Arabia’s tea exports were Jordan, accounting for $6.18 million, followed by Egypt at $4.16 million, Kuwait at $1.33 million, the United Arab Emirates at $809k, and Bahrain at $791k.

Emerging Export Markets

Saudi Arabia experienced notable growth in tea exports between 2020 and 2021, signifying the country’s potential to expand its market reach and explore new opportunities. The fastest-growing export markets for Saudi Arabian tea during this period were Jordan, exhibiting substantial growth at $1.16 million, followed by Iraq at $368k, and Vietnam at $205k. These figures demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its tea export destinations and establish trade relationships with neighboring and international markets.

Where Does Saudi Arabia Export Its Tea (2021)

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AfricaBotswana3
AfricaComoros121
AfricaEgypt4,164,983
AfricaEritrea135
AfricaEthiopia98
AfricaGhana800
AfricaKenya10
AfricaLibya636,605
AfricaMorocco103
AfricaMauritania26,000
AfricaNigeria2,711
AfricaSudan19,333
AfricaSomalia671
AfricaSeychelles15
AfricaTanzania21
AfricaSouth Africa140
AsiaUnited Arab Emirates809,300
AsiaBahrain790,809
AsiaIndonesia4,131
AsiaIndia55,406
AsiaIraq368,316
AsiaJordan6,180,223
AsiaSouth Korea179
AsiaKuwait1,329,898
AsiaLebanon1,209
AsiaSri Lanka215
AsiaMalaysia44,017
AsiaNepal7
AsiaOman294,153
AsiaPalestine732,499
AsiaSingapore750
AsiaTurkey21,194
AsiaVietnam205,422
AsiaYemen159,162
EuropeBelgium126
EuropeSwitzerland240
EuropeCzechia180
EuropeGermany266
EuropeDenmark8
EuropeSpain101
EuropeFinland197
EuropeFrance488
EuropeUnited Kingdom9,334
EuropeIreland279
EuropeNetherlands684
EuropePoland49
EuropeSlovakia10,313
EuropeSweden6,397
North AmericaCanada2,724
North AmericaDominican Republic47
North AmericaUnited States23,183

Tea Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2021, Saudi Arabia imported tea valued at $190 million, positioning itself as the 14th largest tea importer globally. Among imported products, tea ranked 176th in terms of import volume in Saudi Arabia during the same year. Saudi Arabia primarily sourced its tea imports from the United Arab Emirates, amounting to $65.5 million, followed by Sri Lanka at $48.5 million, Jordan at $18.4 million, India at $17.3 million, and Yemen at $9.82 million.

Expanding Import Markets

Saudi Arabia witnessed significant growth in tea imports between 2020 and 2021, indicating an increasing demand for a diverse range of tea varieties from various sources. The fastest-growing import markets for tea in Saudi Arabia during this period were Jordan, experiencing a substantial increase of $4.59 million, followed by Oman at $740k, and the United Kingdom at $260k. These figures underscore Saudi Arabia’s commitment to diversifying its tea sources and catering to the preferences of its tea-loving population.

Where Does Saudi Arabia Import Its Tea (2021)

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AfricaEgypt459,251
AfricaEthiopia340
AfricaKenya8,451,361
AfricaMorocco343,877
AfricaMadagascar16,087
AfricaMozambique86
AfricaMalawi705,050
AfricaNigeria425
AfricaRwanda603,720
AfricaSudan2,250
AfricaSierra Leone6,280
AfricaEswatini1,882
AfricaSouth Africa7,130
AsiaAfghanistan1,694
AsiaUnited Arab Emirates65,538,202
AsiaAzerbaijan273,276
AsiaBangladesh271
AsiaBahrain18,741
AsiaChina2,630,888
AsiaHong Kong5,781
AsiaIndonesia756,581
AsiaIndia17,269,534
AsiaJordan18,368,104
AsiaJapan93,068
AsiaSouth Korea5,809
AsiaKuwait740,955
AsiaLebanon17,560
AsiaSri Lanka48,513,727
AsiaBurma640
AsiaMalaysia40,336
AsiaOman2,133,101
AsiaPakistan682,627
AsiaPhilippines24,459
AsiaPalestine41,164
AsiaSingapore106,280
AsiaSyria4,303
AsiaThailand5,433
AsiaTurkey139,259
AsiaVietnam3,976,811
AsiaChinese Taipei18,744
AsiaYemen9,818,680
EuropeAustria13,128
EuropeBelgium44,669
EuropeSwitzerland1,077
EuropeCzechia405
EuropeGermany244,837
EuropeDenmark2,529
EuropeSpain1,449,555
EuropeFinland75
EuropeFrance90,260
EuropeUnited Kingdom551,927
EuropeGreece29,975
EuropeCroatia10,873
EuropeHungary269
EuropeIreland42,330
EuropeIceland66
EuropeItaly36,816
EuropeLatvia12,631
EuropeNetherlands168,468
EuropePoland4,409,483
EuropePortugal5,194
EuropeRussia39,458
EuropeSlovenia1,344
EuropeSweden1,209
North AmericaAruba10,045
North AmericaCanada73,162
North AmericaDominica249
North AmericaPanama16,844
North AmericaUnited States387,367
OceaniaAustralia87,477
OceaniaNew Zealand580
South AmericaChile1,188
South AmericaColombia4,442

Vietnam Tea: A Popular and Reliable Choice for Saudi Arabia’s Imports

Vietnam tea has consistently been a popular and trustworthy choice for Saudi Arabia, thanks to its premium quality and competitive pricing. In 2021, Saudi Arabia imported tea from Vietnam with a total value of $3,976,811, marking a 2.9% increase compared to the previous year. Vietnam holds a significant position as an important supplier of tea to Saudi Arabia, catering to its tea requirements effectively.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia actively participates in the global tea trade as both an exporter and importer. As an exporter, Saudi Arabia supplies tea to markets including Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Meanwhile, as an importer, Saudi Arabia sources its tea primarily from the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Jordan, India, and Yemen. The dynamics of Saudi Arabia’s tea trade highlight its efforts to diversify trade relationships, explore emerging markets, and meet the demands of its tea enthusiasts. The growth of import markets reflects Saudi Arabia’s expanding tea consumption and the nation’s pursuit of a diverse tea selection. Saudi Arabia’s tea trade continues to evolve, presenting opportunities for collaboration and shaping import sourcing decisions in the future.

Data: BACI

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