Top Tea Exporters in Africa

In 2021, the total value of tea trade in Africa reached $1.54 billion. Among African countries, Kenya emerged as the leading exporter with a trade value of $1.2 billion. It was followed by Rwanda with $90.1 million, Malawi with $64.3 million, Tanzania with $38.8 million, and Burundi with $28.6 million in tea exports.

1. Kenya

In 2018, Kenya had a significant tea export value of $1.2 billion, ranking as the world’s third-largest tea exporter. Tea also stood out as the top exported product in Kenya during the same year. The primary destinations for Kenyan tea exports were Pakistan, with an export value of $471 million, followed by Egypt with $170 million, the United Kingdom with $114 million, the United Arab Emirates with $68 million, and Russia with $49.8 million.

Between 2020 and 2021, Kenya experienced remarkable growth in its tea export markets. The fastest-growing markets for Kenyan tea during this period were Sudan, with a growth of $35.3 million, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo with $23.7 million, and Egypt with $22 million.

2. Rwanda

In 2021, Rwanda achieved notable success as an exporter of tea with a total export value of $90.1 million, securing its position as the world’s 14th largest tea exporter. Tea also held a prominent position in Rwanda’s export portfolio, ranking as the 4th most exported product in the country. The primary destinations for Rwandan tea exports included Pakistan, with an export value of $33.1 million, followed by the United Kingdom with $12.7 million, Egypt with $11.4 million, Kazakhstan with $9.01 million, and Kenya with $4.39 million.

During the period between 2020 and 2021, Rwanda experienced impressive growth in its tea export markets. The fastest-growing markets for Rwandan tea during this period were Pakistan, witnessing a growth of $4.42 million, followed by China with $3.1 million, and Kazakhstan with $2.02 million.

3. Malawi

In 2021, Malawi emerged as a significant player in the global tea market, with tea exports totaling $64.3 million and ranking it as the 18th largest tea exporter worldwide. Tea also held a prominent position as Malawi’s 5th most exported product during that year. The primary destinations for Malawi’s tea exports were the United Kingdom, with an export value of $15.5 million, followed closely by South Africa with $15 million, the United States with $14.6 million, Germany with $4.75 million, and Poland with $3.4 million.

Malawi experienced impressive growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing markets for Malawian tea during this period were the United States, with a remarkable growth of $6.99 million, followed by Germany with $1.66 million, and China with $559,000.

4. Tanzania

In 2021, Tanzania made its mark as a significant player in the global tea trade, with tea exports reaching a value of $38.8 million and securing its position as the 22nd largest tea exporter worldwide. Tea also held a respectable ranking as the 31st most exported product in Tanzania during the same year. The primary destinations for Tanzanian tea exports were the United Kingdom, accounting for $9.78 million, followed by Pakistan with $7.19 million, South Africa with $5.79 million, Kenya with $4.46 million, and Oman with $3.93 million.

Tanzania experienced notable growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing export markets for Tanzanian tea during this period were the United Kingdom, showing an impressive increase of $2.6 million, followed by Kenya with $1.57 million, and South Africa with $1.39 million.

5. Burundi

In 2021, Burundi emerged as a notable player in the global tea market, exporting tea worth $28.6 million and securing the 27th position among the world’s largest tea exporters. Within Burundi itself, tea held a prominent position as the third most exported product during the same year. The primary destinations for Burundi’s tea exports included Pakistan, which accounted for $9.33 million, followed by Oman with $5.92 million, Egypt with $4.84 million, China with $4.57 million, and the United Kingdom with $3.57 million.

Burundi experienced remarkable growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing markets for Burundi’s tea during this period were the United Kingdom, witnessing an impressive increase of $3.5 million, followed by China with $1.45 million, and Egypt with $451,000.

6. Uganda

In 2021, Uganda made its mark in the global tea trade by exporting tea valued at $24.7 million, securing the 29th position among the world’s leading tea exporters. Tea held a significant position within Uganda itself as the 18th most exported product during the same year. The primary destinations for Uganda’s tea exports included Pakistan, accounting for a substantial amount of $14.3 million, followed by Kenya with $5.49 million, Russia with $1.26 million, China with $851,000, and the United Arab Emirates with $667,000.

Uganda experienced notable growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing markets for Ugandan tea during this period were China, with a noteworthy increase of $504,000, followed by Russia with $460,000, and Switzerland with $343,000.

7. South Africa

In 2021, South Africa played a significant role in the global tea trade, with tea exports amounting to $24.2 million, securing its position as the 31st largest tea exporter worldwide. Within South Africa, tea ranked as the 355th most exported product during the same year. The primary destinations for South Africa’s tea exports included Botswana, with a substantial value of $6.57 million, followed by Namibia with $3.91 million, Mozambique with $3.63 million, Eswatini with $3.02 million, and Lesotho with $2.6 million.

South Africa experienced notable growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing export markets for South African tea during this period were Botswana, witnessing an increase of $322,000, followed by Mozambique with $306,000, and Lesotho with $263,000.

8. Morocco

In 2021, Morocco played a significant role in the global tea trade, exporting tea worth $23 million and securing its position as the 33rd largest tea exporter in the world. Within Morocco, tea ranked as the 140th most exported product during the same year. The main destinations for Moroccan tea exports were Italy, with a substantial value of $6.37 million, followed by Canada with $2.52 million, France with $2.44 million, Singapore with $2.24 million, and the United States with $2.05 million.

Morocco experienced notable growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing export markets for Moroccan tea during this period were Germany, witnessing an increase of $929,000, followed by Italy with $870,000, and Canada with $772,000.

9. Zimbabwe

In 2021, Zimbabwe emerged as a notable player in the global tea market, exporting tea valued at $21.9 million and securing its position as the 34th largest tea exporter worldwide. Within Zimbabwe, tea ranked as the 18th most exported product during the same year. The main destinations for Zimbabwean tea exports were South Africa, with a significant value of $7.48 million, followed by Mozambique with $5.59 million, the United States with $3.54 million, Zambia with $1.99 million, and the United Kingdom with $1.01 million.

Zimbabwe experienced impressive growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing export markets for Zimbabwean tea during this period were South Africa, witnessing an increase of $605,000, followed by Zambia with $474,000, and India with $288,000.

10. Egypt

In 2021, Egypt solidified its position as a significant player in the global tea export market, with tea exports amounting to $14.6 million, ranking it as the 41st largest tea exporter worldwide. Within Egypt, tea held the 262nd spot among the most exported products in the country during the same year. The primary destinations for Egypt’s tea exports were Lebanon, accounting for a substantial value of $5.14 million, followed by Jordan with $1.65 million, the United Arab Emirates with $1.62 million, Kuwait with $1.05 million, and Palestine with $764,000.

Egypt witnessed notable growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing export markets for Egyptian tea during this period were Lebanon, experiencing an increase of $1.47 million, followed by Jordan with $719,000, and Iraq with $372,000.

11. Mozambique

In 2021, Mozambique made its mark in the global tea export scene by exporting a total of $7.91 million worth of tea, ranking it as the 50th largest tea exporter worldwide. Within Mozambique itself, tea held the 49th spot among the most exported products during the same year. The primary destinations for Mozambique’s tea exports were China, accounting for a significant value of $1.86 million, followed by Germany with $1.55 million, the United Kingdom with $1.05 million, India with $747,000, and the Netherlands with $733,000.

Mozambique experienced notable growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing export markets for Mozambican tea during this period were China, witnessing an increase of $704,000, followed by the United Kingdom with $538,000, and India with $351,000.

12. Ethiopia

In 2021, Ethiopia established its presence in the global tea export market by exporting a total of $2.71 million worth of tea, ranking it as the 67th largest tea exporter worldwide. Within Ethiopia, tea held the 77th position among the most exported products during the same year. The primary destinations for Ethiopia’s tea exports were the United Kingdom, accounting for a significant value of $1.86 million, followed by Pakistan with $483,000, Switzerland with $106,000, Poland with $75,600, and Kenya with $67,100.

Ethiopia experienced notable growth in its tea export markets between 2020 and 2021. The fastest-growing export markets for Ethiopian tea during this period were the United Kingdom, witnessing an increase of $209,000, followed by Switzerland with $106,000, and Angola with $37,200.