How much tea does China produce and export?
China is the largest producer of tea: 16.3 million tonnes in 2024, 50% of the world's 32.7 million tonnes (FAOSTAT). It is the 3rd largest exporter by value: $1.3 billion in 2024, 17% of world exports of tea (HS 0902) (CEPII BACI). Its biggest customer is Morocco, which takes 17% of its tea exports by value.
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China's tea production
| World rank | Production (tonnes) | Share of world | Ten-year growth | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16.3 million tonnes | 50% | +5.5% a year | 2024 |
FAOSTAT Crops and livestock products (QCL), 2024. World total is the sum of reporting countries.
Share of world output over time
| 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21% | 23% | 34% | 45% | 50% |
China's tea exports
| World rank | Export value | Share of world exports | Quantity (tonnes) | Average value per tonne | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | $1.3 billion | 17% | 373,704 t | $3,542 | 2024 |
CEPII BACI international trade database (HS22, V202601), HS 0902 (Tea, whether or not flavoured).
Where China's tea goes
| Destination | Value | Share of China's exports |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco | $225M | 17% |
| Ghana | $154M | 12% |
| Mauritania | $64M | 4.8% |
| United States | $60M | 4.5% |
| Russia | $59M | 4.4% |
China as a buyer of tea
China imported $156 million of tea (HS 0902) in 2024, 2.1% of world imports, ranked #14.
How much tea China uses
China's domestic supply of tea was 15.6 million tonnes in 2023, 47% of the world's. Food supply was 11 kg per person a year, 6th highest of 138 countries with a million or more people. It produced 102% of what it used (self-sufficiency) and imported 0%. FAO's item is "Tea (including mate)". Consumption · Self-sufficiency.
The tea price China sells into
The benchmark price, Average of three auctions, was $2.85/kg in September 2026, down 3% over twelve months. Its five-year volatility is 19% a year, calmer in 55% of its earlier five-year windows. A single country's export price can differ from the benchmark: see trade price against benchmark. Monthly averages lag the market and are not investment advice. Tea price history.
Cite as: Commodity Origins, "China tea: production, exports and prices", https://commodityorigins.com/countries/CHN/tea/ (CC BY 4.0). Rankings count only countries reporting to the sources named; this page is shown only for top-five producers or exporters with at least 3% of the world total. Report an issue with this page.