Top Tea Importers in South America

The total tea import in South America amounted to $83.3 million in 2021, with Chile being the largest importer, bringing in $59.9 million. It was followed by Peru ($6.32 million) and Brazil ($3.44 million) in terms of tea imports.

1. Chile

In 2021, Chile imported a total of $59.9 million worth of tea, making it the 34th largest tea importer globally. Tea ranked as the 257th most imported product in Chile during the same year. The primary sources of tea imports for Chile were Sri Lanka ($35.7 million), Kenya ($5.3 million), Argentina ($4.77 million), Poland ($3.28 million), and Peru ($3.08 million).

Between 2020 and 2021, the fastest-growing import markets for tea in Chile were Peru ($3 million), Poland ($991,000), and China ($789,000).

As of 2018, the average tariff imposed on tea imports in Chile stood at 3.5%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%), Cote d’Ivoire (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%), Cameroon (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%), and Cape Verde (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%).

2. Peru

In 2021, Peru imported a total of $6.32 million worth of tea, ranking as the 97th largest tea importer globally. Tea was the 559th most imported product in Peru during the same year. Peru primarily imports tea from Chile ($2.38 million), Argentina ($1.09 million), Kenya ($910,000), China ($628,000), and the United States ($353,000).

The fastest-growing import markets for tea in Peru between 2020 and 2021 were Chile ($2.19 million), Kenya ($782,000), and Indonesia ($338,000).

Regarding tariffs, in 2018, Peru had an average tariff of 5.49% on tea imports. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%), Burundi (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%), Benin (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%), Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%), and Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 6%).

3. Brazil

In 2021, Brazil’s tea imports amounted to $3.44 million, positioning it as the 110th largest tea importer in the world. Tea ranked 913th among the most imported products in Brazil during the same year. China ($826,000), the United States ($716,000), Spain ($443,000), Poland ($418,000), and Germany ($192,000) are the primary sources of Brazil’s tea imports.

The fastest-growing import markets for tea in Brazil between 2020 and 2021 were China ($134,000), Japan ($54,400), and Spain ($52,000).

Regarding tariffs, in 2017, Brazil had an average tariff of 9.59% on tea imports. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Burundi (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Benin (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), and Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%).

4. Colombia

In 2021, Colombia’s tea imports reached $2.86 million, making it the 116th largest importer of tea globally. Tea ranked 743rd among the most imported products in Colombia that same year. The primary sources of Colombia’s tea imports are the United States ($797,000), Poland ($449,000), India ($440,000), Ecuador ($315,000), and China ($285,000).

The fastest-growing import markets for tea in Colombia between 2020 and 2021 were India ($135,000), Ecuador ($77,000), and Poland ($53,500).

Regarding tariffs, in 2018, Colombia had an average tariff of 9.42% on tea imports. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 12.5%), Burundi (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 12.5%), Benin (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 12.5%), Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 12.5%), and Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 12.5%).

5. Argentina

In 2021, Argentina imported $2.77 million worth of tea, ranking as the 118th largest tea importer globally. Tea stood as the 732nd most imported product in Argentina during that year. Argentina primarily imports tea from China ($1.27 million), Sri Lanka ($346,000), Germany ($346,000), Poland ($303,000), and Tanzania ($168,000).

The fastest-growing tea import markets in Argentina between 2020 and 2021 were China ($247,000), Sri Lanka ($227,000), and Poland ($125,000).

As for tariffs, in 2018, the average tariff rate for tea in Argentina was 9.59%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Burundi (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Benin (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), and Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%).

6. Uruguay

In 2021, Uruguay imported $1.86 million worth of tea, ranking as the 130th largest tea importer globally. Tea stood as the 524th most imported product in Uruguay during that year. Uruguay primarily imports tea from Sri Lanka ($583,000), Argentina ($391,000), Chile ($281,000), Poland ($281,000), and China ($102,000).

The fastest-growing tea import markets in Uruguay between 2020 and 2021 were Chile ($135,000), Poland ($99,900), and Sri Lanka ($50,900).

Regarding tariffs, in 2018, the average tariff rate for tea in Uruguay was 9.6%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Burundi (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Benin (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), and Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%).

7. Guyana

In 2021, Guyana imported $1.51 million worth of tea, ranking as the 135th largest tea importer globally. Tea stood as the 277th most imported product in Guyana during that year. Guyana primarily imports tea from Trinidad and Tobago ($477,000), Sri Lanka ($254,000), Jamaica ($213,000), the United States ($210,000), and the United Arab Emirates ($158,000).

The fastest-growing tea import markets in Guyana between 2020 and 2021 were Trinidad and Tobago ($406,000), the United States ($60,900), and Jamaica ($28,800).

Regarding tariffs, in 2019, the average tariff rate for tea in Guyana was 4.19%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%), Burundi (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%), Benin (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%), Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%), and Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%).

8. Bolivia

In 2021, Bolivia imported $1.45 million worth of tea, ranking as the 138th largest tea importer globally. Tea stood as the 436th most imported product in Bolivia during that year. Bolivia primarily imports tea from Argentina ($796,000), Colombia ($276,000), Sri Lanka ($192,000), China ($94,800), and Chile ($41,200).

The fastest-growing tea import markets in Bolivia between 2020 and 2021 were China ($49,800), Colombia ($29,700), and the United States ($24,700).

Regarding tariffs, in 2018, the average tariff rate for tea in Bolivia was 16.8%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 17.5%), Burundi (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 17.5%), Benin (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 17.5%), Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 17.5%), and Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 17.5%).

9. Suriname

In 2021, Suriname imported $1.28 million worth of tea, ranking as the 140th largest tea importer globally. Tea stood as the 225th most imported product in Suriname during that year. Suriname primarily imports tea from India ($435,000), Sri Lanka ($286,000), the Netherlands ($261,000), the United States ($85,100), and the United Arab Emirates ($75,600).

The fastest-growing tea import markets in Suriname between 2020 and 2021 were Trinidad and Tobago ($50,600), Sri Lanka ($8,040), and Germany ($6,410).

Regarding tariffs, in 2019, the average tariff rate for tea in Suriname was 4.73%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%), Burundi (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%), Benin (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%), Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%), and Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 5%).

10. Paraguay

In 2021, Paraguay imported $1.18 million worth of tea, ranking as the 142nd largest tea importer globally. Tea stood as the 538th most imported product in Paraguay during that year. Paraguay primarily imports tea from Chile ($504,000), Argentina ($270,000), Colombia ($177,000), the United States ($106,000), and Germany ($46,500).

The fastest-growing tea import markets in Paraguay between 2020 and 2021 were Chile ($86,400), the United States ($84,200), and France ($27,000).

Regarding tariffs, in 2018, the average tariff rate for tea in Paraguay was 9.62%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Burundi (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Benin (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%), and Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment, 10%).