The top tea-producing countries in the world

In the early 20th century, wary of expensive Chinese tea imports, Russian planters started growing tea in Georgia. Soon, it became the fourth largest producer of tea. But with the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgian tea fell off the map. In recent years, efforts have been made to revive the once thriving tea industry. According to the latest numbers from 2023, Georgia produced 2,300 tons of tea.

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Peru -

Peru has emerged as a key player in the tea industry in recent years. Primarily known for its coffee plantations, the country is witnessing a growing interest in tea plantations and consumption, owing to the demand in the international market. Peru produced about 3,300 tons of tea in 2024.

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Papua New Guinea -

British and Australian planters decided to grow tea on this island in the 1960s. A favorable climate and fertile soil ensured the crop flourished and became one of the country's major commodities. Papua New Guinea produced about 5,500 tons of tea in 2023, the most recent figures available.

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Cameroon -

Tea was introduced in Cameroon in 1926 by German planters. Since then, tea production capacities have increased significantly in the country. Cameroon produced about 6,000 tons of tea in 2023.

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Ethiopia -

Tea cultivation took off in multiple stages in Ethiopia: in 1927, via Canadian missionaries who brought seeds from Kenya; in 1928, by the British with tea from India; and then in 1957, by Belgian experts who boosted the country’s tea-producing capability. According to the most recent figures from 2022, Ethiopia produced close to 11,500 tons of tea.

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Laos -

Laos has been growing tea as early as the 7th century CE when Chinese traders started developing tea farms in northern provinces close to the Chinese border. Even today, the majority of the tea in the country is grown in this region. Laos produced about 12,000 tons of tea in 2024.

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Taiwan -

The earliest records of tea plantations date back to the 1700s when tea leaves and seeds were brought to the country from the tea-growing provinces of South China. With help from Scottish merchants who sought to rival the British tea trade in India, Taiwan began to export tea on a commercial scale. In 2023, Taiwan produced close to 13,000 tons of tea.

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Malaysia -

British entrepreneurs set up tea plantations and processing facilities in 1929 when they saw an opportunity to grow tea in Malaysia, along with its main crop, rubber. The company, BOH Plantations, is still operational and produces 70% of the country’s tea. Overall, Malaysia produced about 15,000 tons in 2023.

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Mozambique -

Introduced by Portuguese colonizers in the 1930s, tea cultivation soon became an economic resource. The plantations flourished in regions of high altitude with fertile soil and adequate rainfall, making it one of the main cash crops of the country. In 2024, Mozambique produced about 34,000 tons.

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Burundi -

It was in the 1930s when Burundi started cultivating tea, and it was only after its independence in 1964 that the country saw large-scale tea plantations. Its cultivation significantly contributes to the nation’s exports, with a production of 62,500 tons in 2023.

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Zimbabwe -

Tea plantations in Zimbabwe started in the 1900s after British planters smuggled tea leaves and seeds from India. Regions at a higher elevation and with relatively moderate temperatures proved to be conducive for growing tea. In 2023, Zimbabwe produced about 66,000 tons of tea.

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Thailand -

The northern parts of the country create a favorable environment for the cultivation of tea. Though not a significant part of Thailand’s agriculture, tea is an important constituent in many rituals and ceremonies. Thailand produced about 108,800 tons of tea in 2024.

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Myanmar -

Sharing borders with the major tea producers in the world, such as China, India, and Bangladesh, Myanmar has a long history of tea cultivation. It has always been a part of Myanmar’s culture, so much so that tea leaves are a part of traditional cuisines. Myanmar produced 118,000 tons of tea in 2023.

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Nepal -

Regions of high altitude and hilly farmlands create a nourishing and fertile environment for the growth of high-quality tea. Currently, Nepal’s tea industry has started to compete with Indian and Chinese varieties in the international market. Nepal produced 129,000 tons of tea in 2023.

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Tanzania -

Tanzania is emerging as an important player in the tea sector; indeed, tea is one of the biggest cash crops in the country. Introduced by German settlers in 1902, tea cultivation grew gradually to become a commercially viable industry and accelerated after the nation’s independence in 1961. In 2023, Tanzania produced about 130,000 tons of tea.

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Iran -

It is believed that tea was introduced to Iran in the 16th century from China via the Silk Road, and it quickly became ingrained in the nation's culture. When tea started replacing coffee in everyday life, Iranians began cultivating the crop in the northern hilly regions around 1899. Iran is one of the important cultivators of tea in the region, with production reaching up to 145,000 tons in 2024.

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Rwanda -

Tea cultivation in Rwanda can be traced back to German missionaries in the early 20th century. Since then, the tea industry has flourished, making Rwanda one of the important tea producers in Africa. In 2023, Rwanda produced about 165,000 tons of tea.

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Malawi -

Tea was introduced in Malawi in the latter part of the 19th century by Scottish missionaries. After several failed attempts, tea cultivation began to spread throughout the country. Today, Malawi is the third largest producer of tea in Africa. In 2023, the country produced about 246,000 tons of tea.

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Japan -

Known for its green tea, Japan is one of the largest tea cultivators in the world. Tea preparation and consumption form an integral part of Japanese culture, which is becoming popular all over the world. The island nation produced about 300,000 tons of tea in 2023.

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Uganda -

Tea production in Uganda began in the early 1900s. By 1930, the country started cultivating tea for commercial purposes, with volumes comparable to that of Kenya by the 1970s. However, political instability became a roadblock. In 2024, Uganda produced 326,000 tons of tea.

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Argentina -

The largest tea producer in the Americas, Argentina also produces great amounts of coffee and yerba maté. In the 1920s, Argentina imported tea seeds from China as a way to boost its agricultural economy. In 2024, the country produced about 369,000 tons of tea.

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Bangladesh -

Tea has been grown in Bangladesh since British colonial times. The regions where it is grown are similar to the hilly states of neighboring India. Much of Bangladesh’s tea is grown for consumption within the country. It produced 400,000 tons of tea in 2024.

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Indonesia -

Tea cultivation in Indonesia goes way back to the 1700s, when Dutch colonists started planting Indian tea, which thrived in the region. Indonesia has now become a major contributor to the tea trade, producing close to 647,000 tons of tea in 2024.

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Vietnam -

Introduced by the French in the 1880s, tea became one of the most important sources of revenue for the nation until the Vietnam War. Since then, the industry has recovered and gained momentum in the past 25 years. As of 2025, Vietnam produces 1.1 million tons of tea per year.

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Turkey -

Tea is such an inseparable part of Turkish culture that it features on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Not surprisingly, it is also one of the most consumed beverages in the country. Turkey produces 1.3 million tons of tea per year, as of 2025.

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Sri Lanka -

A former British colony, tea cultivation started when British planters sought options to replace diseased coffee plantations in the middle of the 19th century. Today, Sri Lanka has a booming tea industry and, as of 2025, produces 1.4 million tons of tea annually.

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Kenya -

Kenya is the largest tea producer in Africa. Introduced by colonial settlers in the early decades of the 20th century, tea has now become one of the most important cash crops in the country. The total tea produced in Kenya is 2.5 million tons per year, as of 2025.

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India -

India has been cultivating tea since the early 17th century, when the British discovered tea plants and introduced select species from China to the hilly states of east India. The country has one of the largest tea-producing regions in the world: Assam and Darjeeling. As of 2025, India produces close to six million tons of tea per year.

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China -

The land where tea was first discovered holds the top spot in its production. China dominates the market by fulfilling 30-50% of the global supply. China produces about 14.5 million tons of tea every year, according to 2025 figures.

Sources: (Worldostats) (FAOSTAT) (Tea How)

The top tea-producing countries in the world

Tea is a major agricultural commodity for many nations

07/04/25 | Akash Dubey

FOOD Beverage

The story behind the discovery of tea is rich with history, much like the beverage itself. Its roots can be traced back to ancient China, where legend suggests that tea was discovered entirely by chance. What began as an unexpected find has blossomed into one of the most widely consumed drinks globally: five billion cups of tea are consumed across the world every day!

Tea is far more than just a product. In numerous countries, it represents hospitality and is an integral part of social customs, highlighting the significance of this cherished beverage in various cultures. Today, tea cultivation has evolved into a highly lucrative economic opportunity, attracting billions of consumers around the globe. In this gallery, we explore some of the leading tea producers worldwide. Click on to discover them.