Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2024.
Page data last updated on 2026-04-14.
Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Black Tea
Analyze 72,737 supplier-linked transactions across the top 20 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Black Tea.
Black Tea Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum
Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Black Tea to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Black Tea: Netherlands (+130.2%), United Kingdom (+108.3%), Germany (+92.8%).
Black Tea Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary
As of 2025-05, benchmark Black Tea country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-10, countries with visible Black Tea transaction unit prices: Colombia (20.68 USD / kg), Germany (18.47 USD / kg), Ukraine (12.46 USD / kg), Chile (12.30 USD / kg), Poland (11.80 USD / kg), 15 more countries.
6,265 exporters and 9,046 importers are mapped for Black Tea.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Black Tea, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.
Black Tea Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals
6,265 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Black Tea. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.
Black Tea Verified Export Suppliers and Premium Partners
7 premium Black Tea suppliers include country, industry, and contactability signals to prioritize credible export partners faster.
Become a Premium Supplier to join the Tridge Supply Chain Network and advance your marketing and export channel strategy.
Black Tea Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles
Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 6,265 total exporter companies in the Black Tea supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(Kenya)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-14
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Crop ProductionFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFood ManufacturingFarming / Production / Processing / Packing
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFarming / Production / Processing / Packing
Black Tea Global Exporter Coverage
6,265 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Black Tea supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Black Tea opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.
Top Exporting Countries for Black Tea (HS Code 090240) in 2024
For Black Tea in 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 10 supplier countries to map core supply structure.
Black Tea Export Trade Flow and Partner Country Summary
Track Black Tea exporter-to-importer flows by value, volume, and share to uncover high-potential export routes.
Black Tea Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks
9,046 importer companies are mapped for Black Tea demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.
Black Tea Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 9,046 total importer companies tracked for Black Tea. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Black Tea.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Black Tea buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.
Top Import Demand Countries for Black Tea (HS Code 090240) in 2024
For Black Tea in 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 10 demand countries to identify priority markets.
Foreign matter and contaminant compliance (including pesticide residue requirements)
Planting to HarvestTypically several years from planting to first commercial plucking, depending on cultivar and growing conditions.
Market
Black tea is a globally traded, shelf-stable beverage commodity produced from Camellia sinensis and typically exported both in bulk for blending/packing and as consumer-ready packs. Global tea leaf production is concentrated in Asia and Africa, with China and India as the largest producers overall, while Kenya and Sri Lanka are among the most export-oriented origins for black tea trade. Demand is broad-based across South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, with Pakistan and the United States among major importing markets for tea. Market dynamics are shaped by weather-driven yield variability, quality differentiation by origin and grade (orthodox vs CTC), and strict buyer compliance expectations on contaminants and pesticide residues.
Market GrowthMixed (medium-term outlook)Mature black-tea markets tend to be stable, while growth is stronger in some emerging import markets and in value-added segments (tea bags, blends, and ready-to-drink supply chains).
Major Producing Countries
ChinaLargest global tea producer overall; produces both black and green tea across multiple provinces.
IndiaMajor producer of black tea (including Assam and Darjeeling regions) and a significant exporter.
KenyaMajor tea producer in Africa; strongly export-oriented and prominent in bulk black tea trade.
Sri LankaTea is a key agricultural export; known for origin-differentiated 'Ceylon' black tea.
TurkiyeSignificant tea producer with large domestic consumption; also participates in regional trade.
VietnamLarge tea producer and exporter, including black tea in bulk formats.
IndonesiaProduces and exports tea; black tea included alongside other tea types.
Major Exporting Countries
KenyaAmong the largest global exporters for bulk black tea (commonly CTC), supplying price-competitive blending markets.
Sri LankaMajor exporter of origin-branded black tea across bulk, packet, and tea-bag formats.
IndiaExports black tea from multiple regions and grades; participates in both bulk and value-added exports.
VietnamExports black tea (often bulk) into blending and re-export supply chains.
ChinaExports black tea alongside a larger green tea export portfolio; black tea includes specialty and bulk segments.
Major Importing Countries
PakistanAmong the largest tea import markets globally; demand is heavily oriented to black tea consumption.
United StatesMajor tea import market with demand spanning black tea, blends, and value-added formats (including tea bags and RTD inputs).
United KingdomLarge black tea consuming market and a longstanding hub for blending/branding and specialty trade.
United Arab EmiratesMajor import and re-export hub serving Middle East and nearby markets; significant role in regional tea redistribution.
RussiaLarge black tea consuming market with substantial import demand and sensitivity to logistics and payment/FX conditions.
EgyptImportant black tea consuming market in North Africa; relies on imports for supply.
Supply Calendar
Kenya:Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, DecNear-equatorial production supports broadly year-round manufacturing and export availability.
Sri Lanka:Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, DecYear-round supply overall; monsoon patterns create shifting regional peaks between growing areas.
India (Assam and North India):Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, NovMain commercial plucking/manufacturing period aligns with warmer months; winter output typically lower.
China (black tea regions):Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, SepSpring–summer manufacture window for many black tea styles; timing varies by province and elevation.
Specification
Major VarietiesAssam-type (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) black tea, China-type (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) black tea, Orthodox black tea styles, CTC (Crush-Tear-Curl) black tea for teabags/blends
Physical Attributes
Fully oxidized ("fermented") tea leaf appearance with dark brown/black dry leaf
Brewed liquor typically amber to deep red-brown depending on origin and grade
Aroma/flavor profile varies widely by origin, elevation, and manufacturing style
Compositional Metrics
Moisture content control to prevent mold growth and preserve aroma during storage and transport
Caffeine and polyphenol profile as part of buyer quality expectations (varies by cultivar, season, and manufacture)
Foreign matter and extraneous material limits as part of food safety and quality programs
Grades
Leaf-size grading common in trade (whole leaf, broken leaf, fannings, dust)
CTC grading conventions commonly referenced in industrial blending and teabag supply chains
Packaging
Bulk export packaging commonly uses multiwall paper sacks or fiberboard cartons with moisture-barrier liners
Consumer packs commonly use foil-laminate or other barrier materials to protect aroma
Tea bags typically packed in barrier outer packaging to reduce moisture and odor pickup
ProcessingQuality and buyer specification often distinguish between orthodox and CTC manufactureOxidation control and final drying/firing are critical steps affecting color, flavor, and storage stabilityBlending is common to achieve consistent flavor and color targets across shipments and seasons
Supply Chain
Value Chain
Plucking/harvest -> withering -> rolling or CTC -> oxidation -> drying/firing -> sorting/grading -> blending -> packing -> export -> import distribution -> retail/foodservice
Demand Drivers
High household penetration in major consuming markets (South Asia, Middle East, parts of Europe and Africa)
Use in tea bags and blended products that require consistent bulk supply
Growth in value-added formats (branded blends, specialty origin teas, and industrial inputs for RTD beverages)
Temperature
No cold chain required; quality preservation depends on keeping tea cool, dry, and away from heat sources
Moisture control is critical to prevent quality loss and microbial risks during storage and transport
Atmosphere Control
Oxygen and odor management is important; barrier packaging and, in some value-added formats, inert gas flushing may be used to preserve aroma
Shelf Life
Shelf-stable when protected from moisture, oxygen, light, and strong odors; quality typically degrades gradually rather than through rapid spoilage
Risks
Climate HighBlack tea supply and quality are highly sensitive to rainfall distribution, temperature extremes, and drought/flood events in key producing and exporting origins (notably South Asia and East Africa). Weather shocks can quickly reduce plucking volumes, shift seasonal quality, and tighten export availability for bulk blending markets.Diversify origin portfolio (multiple countries and elevations), use forward cover with quality flexibility, and monitor origin weather and crop updates to adjust procurement timing.
Food Safety MediumPesticide residue compliance and contaminant controls are recurring trade risks for tea, with shipment detentions or buyer rejections possible when residues exceed destination-market MRLs or when quality assurance systems are weak.Implement residue monitoring programs, require supplier QA documentation and lab testing aligned to destination-market requirements, and maintain traceability to farm/estate where feasible.
Labor And Human Rights MediumTea supply chains face ongoing scrutiny related to wages, working conditions, and worker representation, particularly in plantation contexts where legacy labor systems and limited bargaining power can persist. Non-compliance can create reputational and buyer-audit risks that affect market access.Adopt credible social compliance and grievance mechanisms, support third-party audits and remediation, and prioritize suppliers with transparent labor practices and worker welfare programs.
Price Volatility MediumBlack tea prices can be volatile due to weather-driven crop shifts, currency movements in export origins, and demand swings in major consuming markets, complicating procurement budgets and contract performance.Use diversified contract structures (spot + forward), set quality/grade substitution rules in contracts, and monitor auction and export indicators from major origins.
Sustainability
Climate resilience and adaptation for temperature and rainfall shifts in major tea landscapes
Water and soil stewardship in tea-growing regions (erosion control on slopes, watershed impacts)
Agrochemical stewardship (pesticide risk management) and biodiversity considerations in plantation and smallholder mosaics
Packaging footprint and waste reduction for consumer tea formats
Labor & Social
Living-wage, housing, and occupational health and safety concerns on tea estates and in smallholder supply chains
Seasonal labor availability and worker retention affecting harvest timing and quality
Gender equity issues given high participation of women in plucking and primary field labor in many origins
FAQ
Which countries are the most important exporters of black tea in global trade?Kenya and Sri Lanka are among the most export-oriented origins for black tea, with India and Vietnam also significant exporters. China exports black tea as well, alongside a broader tea export portfolio.
What are the most common quality and grading factors buyers use for black tea?Buyers commonly specify leaf-size grades (whole leaf, broken leaf, fannings, dust), cleanliness (foreign matter limits), and sensory targets for liquor color, strength, aroma, and flavor. Many supply chains also differentiate product by manufacturing style, especially orthodox versus CTC.
What is the biggest global risk to black tea supply continuity?Climate variability and extreme weather are the biggest risks because black tea yield and quality depend strongly on rainfall and temperature patterns in key origins. Weather shocks can quickly tighten export availability and shift quality for blending markets.
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