How much tea does Sri Lanka produce and export?
Sri Lanka is the 4th largest producer of tea: 1.5 million tonnes in 2024, 4.6% of the world's 32.7 million tonnes (FAOSTAT). It is the 2nd largest exporter by value: $1.4 billion in 2024, 18% of world exports of tea (HS 0902) (CEPII BACI). Its biggest customer is Iraq, which takes 11% of its tea exports by value.
All about tea · All about Sri Lanka · Tea price history
Sri Lanka's tea production
| World rank | Production (tonnes) | Share of world | Ten-year growth | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1.5 million tonnes | 4.6% | -1.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2% | 10% | 9% | 5.1% | 4.6% |
Sri Lanka's tea exports
| World rank | Export value | Share of world exports | Quantity (tonnes) | Average value per tonne | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $1.4 billion | 18% | 238,445 t | $5,793 | 2024 |
CEPII BACI international trade database (HS22, V202601), HS 0902 (Tea, whether or not flavoured).
Where Sri Lanka's tea goes
| Destination | Value | Share of Sri Lanka's exports |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq | $150M | 11% |
| Russia | $138M | 10% |
| United Arab Emirates | $122M | 8.8% |
| Saudi Arabia | $70M | 5.1% |
| Iran | $62M | 4.5% |
How much tea Sri Lanka uses
Sri Lanka's domestic supply of tea was 1.2 million tonnes in 2023, 3.6% of the world's. Food supply was 52 kg per person a year, 1st highest of 138 countries with a million or more people. It produced 120% of what it used (self-sufficiency) and imported 1%. FAO's item is "Tea (including mate)". Consumption · Self-sufficiency.
The tea price Sri Lanka 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, "Sri Lanka tea: production, exports and prices", https://commodityorigins.com/countries/LKA/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.