Black Tea Suppliers, Trade & Prices — Market Overview 2026
Sub Product
Assam Tea, Ceylon Tea, Darjeeling Tea, Earl Grey Tea, +6
Derived Products
Peach Iced Tea Mix, Flavored Iced Tea, Kombucha
HS Code
090240
Last Updated
2026-10-19
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- Black Tea market coverage spans 166 countries.
- 7,619 exporter companies and 11,145 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
- 54,617 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 20 countries.
- 8 premium suppliers and 8 catalog items are currently listed.
- Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2026.
- Page data last updated on 2026-10-19.
Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Black Tea
Analyze 54,617 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: Vietnam (+341.9%), Germany (+72.6%), China (+64.2%).
Black Tea Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary
As of 2025-11, benchmark Black Tea country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2026-04, countries with visible Black Tea transaction unit prices: United Kingdom (35.94 USD / kg), Germany (22.59 USD / kg), Chile (17.46 USD / kg), Poland (12.33 USD / kg), Colombia (12.14 USD / kg), 12 more countries.
See the Latest Monthly Prices by Origin
| Country | YoY Change | Transaction Count | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 | 2026-09 | 2026-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | +16.4% | 33,785 | 3.14 USD / kg (26,019,574.506 kg) | 3.24 USD / kg (15,430,212.538 kg) | 3.04 USD / kg (23,870,113.849 kg) | 3.06 USD / kg (19,516,252.555 kg) | 3.12 USD / kg (18,025,155.227 kg) | 3.40 USD / kg (26,257,478.139 kg) | ||||||
| Sri Lanka | +10.1% | 5,107 | 5.54 USD / kg (7,395,979.182 kg) | 5.66 USD / kg (6,714,447.592 kg) | 5.32 USD / kg (5,180,784.445 kg) | 5.55 USD / kg (1,175,525.19 kg) | 4.08 USD / kg (771,765.99 kg) | 5.52 USD / kg (800,830.021 kg) | ||||||
| United Kingdom | +59.0% | 1,130 | 7.46 USD / kg (883,033.018 kg) | 6.87 USD / kg (583,970.4 kg) | 14.56 USD / kg (647,361.92 kg) | 14.57 USD / kg (190,446.95 kg) | 24.73 USD / kg (16,535.145 kg) | 35.94 USD / kg (115,007.28 kg) | ||||||
| United States | +24.3% | 906 | 16.35 USD / kg (20,746.975 kg) | 7.78 USD / kg (120,405.97 kg) | 4.07 USD / kg (92,836.362 kg) | 5.25 USD / kg (106,692.7 kg) | 3.29 USD / kg (108,386.714 kg) | 9.06 USD / kg (71,277.71 kg) | ||||||
| China | +64.2% | 678 | 2.96 USD / kg (688,213.71 kg) | 3.61 USD / kg (1,162,590.86 kg) | 2.74 USD / kg (548,353.14 kg) | 4.02 USD / kg (247,216.26 kg) | 6.05 USD / kg (24,256.62 kg) | 4.16 USD / kg (51,996.93 kg) | ||||||
| Vietnam | +341.9% | 1,309 | 1.42 USD / kg (3,941,512.26 kg) | 1.33 USD / kg (5,925,004 kg) | 1.37 USD / kg (4,546,734.81 kg) | 1.44 USD / kg (777,040 kg) | 2.23 USD / kg (54,555 kg) | 3.57 USD / kg (190,010 kg) | ||||||
| Germany | +72.6% | 556 | 7.92 USD / kg (32,669.867 kg) | 9.80 USD / kg (80,019.258 kg) | 14.18 USD / kg (92,372.6 kg) | 12.28 USD / kg (32,732.15 kg) | 20.94 USD / kg (3,283.14 kg) | 22.59 USD / kg (3,160.16 kg) | ||||||
| United Arab Emirates | +59.4% | 443 | 4.36 USD / kg (415,373.69 kg) | 5.63 USD / kg (692,402.66 kg) | 4.41 USD / kg (593,277.85 kg) | 4.61 USD / kg (684,447.1 kg) | 3.84 USD / kg (185,954.11 kg) | 1.52 USD / kg (100,220 kg) | ||||||
| Poland | +25.4% | 273 | 11.54 USD / kg (98,838.2 kg) | 7.65 USD / kg (140,241.199 kg) | 8.40 USD / kg (54,159.762 kg) | 14.55 USD / kg (46,546.47 kg) | 21.38 USD / kg (14,238.84 kg) | 12.33 USD / kg (16,415.2 kg) | ||||||
| Kenya | +40.8% | 3,066 | 2.15 USD / kg (2,543,607.23 kg) | 2.40 USD / kg (3,056,856.35 kg) | 7.95 USD / kg (1,310,258 kg) | 2.05 USD / kg (1,328,049 kg) | 3.31 USD / kg (1,107,893 kg) | 8.07 USD / kg (970,242 kg) |
Black Tea Global Supply Chain Coverage
18,764 companies
7,619 exporters and 11,145 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
7,619 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
8 premium Black Tea suppliers include country, industry, and contactability signals to prioritize credible export partners faster.
BLUVIRA EXPORTS LLP
India
ContactCatalog
Food Wholesalers
GOO FARM TEA VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED
Vietnam
ContactCatalog
Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing
REDPLUM INDIA PVT LTD
India
-
The Skyhutt
India
Catalog
Crop Production, Food Manufacturing
PT. Rowan Duad Indonesia
Indonesia
-
Eastern Products (PVT) Ltd.
Pakistan
Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing
Imperial Teas (EPZ) Ltd
Kenya
Catalog
-
INDOMOLD CONNECT (OPC) PRIVATE LIMITED
India
-
Become a Premium Supplier to join the Tridge Supply Chain Network and advance your marketing and export channel strategy.
Black Tea Global Supplier Catalog Offers and Export Pricing Opportunities
Compare 8 Black Tea supplier listings by origin, Incoterms, minimum volume, and offer price to identify export-ready sourcing opportunities.
Nilgiri CTC Black Tea - BP, PF, PD, Dust grades
Origin Country: India
Incoterms: FOB, CIF
Min Volume: 500 KG
Negotiable
Nilgiri Orthodox Black Tea OP/FOP - Single Estate
Origin Country: India
Incoterms: FOB, CIF
Min Volume: 500 KG
Negotiable
Vietnam Orthodox Black Tea OPA, OP, Pekoe, FBOP, BOP – Goo Farm
Origin Country: Vietnam
Incoterms: FOB, CFR, CIF
Min Volume: 1 CONTAINER
Certification: ISO 22000:2018, No. 31905-FSV (Vinacontrol CE)Grades: OPA, OP, Pekoe, FBOP, BOP, PS, BPS, fannings, dustProduct page: https://goofarm.com.vn/product-category/black-tea-orthodox/
Negotiable
Vietnam Black Tea Dust and Fannings for Tea Bags – Goo Farm
Origin Country: Vietnam
Incoterms: FOB, CFR, CIF
Min Volume: 1 CONTAINER
Certification: ISO 22000:2018, No. 31905-FSV (Vinacontrol CE)Grades: BPS, PS, F1, F2, F3, Dust Grade 1, Dust Grade 2, PF, PDProduct page: https://goofarm.com.vn/product-category/tea-dust/
Negotiable
Vietnam CTC Black Tea BOP, BP, PF, PD – Goo Farm
Origin Country: Vietnam
Incoterms: FOB, CFR, CIF
Min Volume: 1 CONTAINER
Certification: ISO 22000:2018, No. 31905-FSV (Vinacontrol CE)Grades: CTC BOP, BP, PF, PDProduct page: https://goofarm.com.vn/product-category/black-tea-ctc/
Negotiable
Black Tea Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles
Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 7,619 total exporter companies in the Black Tea supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-08-31
Recently Export Partner Companies: 28
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging, Food Services And Drinking Places, Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale, Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing, Retail
Exporting Countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Mexico, India, Canada, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Germany, United States
Supplying Products: Black Tea, Green Tea, Matcha +5
(United Kingdom)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-23
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Crop Production, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale, Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing
Exporting Countries: Sri Lanka, Pakistan
Supplying Products: Black Tea, Dried Tea Leaves, Tea Leaves +5
(Kenya)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Recently Export Partner Companies: 7
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Industries: Crop Production, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging, Freight Forwarding And Intermodal, Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale, Food Manufacturing, Logistics, Trade
Exporting Countries: Kenya, Sri Lanka, Russia, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan
Supplying Products: Black Tea, Dried Tea Leaves, Loose Leaf Tea +5
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-09-19
Recently Export Partner Companies: 15
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging, Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale, Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Canada, United States
Supplying Products: Black Tea, Instant Malted Drink Powder, Green Tea +5
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-08-31
Recently Export Partner Companies: 33
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Others
Value Chain Roles: Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Azerbaijan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, China, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkiye, Iran, Iraq
Supplying Products: Black Tea, Loose Leaf Tea, Flavored Iced Tea +5
(Kenya)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Food Services And Drinking Places
Value Chain Roles: Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Pakistan
Supplying Products: Black Tea, Dried Tea Leaves, Loose Leaf Tea +5
See the full picture in Tridge Eye: full price and trade history · 725,009+ company profiles
Black Tea Global Exporter Coverage
7,619 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.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 238,476,989.38 kg | 1,333,464,471.526 USD |
| 2 | India | 245,029,211.765 kg | 779,864,729.245 USD |
| 3 | Poland | 16,950,926.947 kg | 199,336,962 USD |
| 4 | Germany | 12,839,098.639 kg | 118,943,927.414 USD |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 13,095,916.661 kg | 112,726,590.361 USD |
| 6 | Argentina | 56,132,574 kg | 63,447,213.38 USD |
| 7 | United States | 6,418,818 kg | 56,821,808 USD |
| 8 | Netherlands | 13,998,376 kg | 50,256,797.276 USD |
| 9 | Switzerland | 6,722,600.463 kg | 26,526,019.11 USD |
| 10 | South Africa | 2,665,749.512 kg | 24,543,615.381 USD |
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.
Tridge Ark · Sourcing Feasibility Check
Where should you be sourcing Black Tea from?
Just tell us your spec and the volume you need. We'll check whether it's actually sourceable, and which origins and suppliers fit.
Free feasibility check, no account required.
Black Tea Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks
11,145 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 11,145 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.
(Pakistan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-31
Recently Import Partner Companies: 10
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Greece, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Italy, United States
(India)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-31
Recently Import Partner Companies: 3
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging, Food Services And Drinking Places, Others
Value Chain Roles: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Mexico, India, Canada, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Germany, United States
(India)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-27
Recently Import Partner Companies: 12
Employee Size: 501 - 1000 Employees
Industries: Animal Production, Crop Production, Food Manufacturing, Food Wholesalers, Others
Value Chain Roles: Venezuela, Thailand, Italy, Poland, Japan, Ireland, Kenya, South Korea, Sri Lanka, United States
(Pakistan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-02-20
Recently Import Partner Companies: 10
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Brokers And Trade Agencies, Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Italy, Norway, Netherlands, China, France, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, United Kingdom, United States
(India)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-22
Recently Import Partner Companies: 12
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 50M - 100M
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Brokers And Trade Agencies, Crop Production, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: -
(India)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-29
Recently Import Partner Companies: 9
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Brokers And Trade Agencies, Food Manufacturing, Others
Value Chain Roles: -
See the full picture in Tridge Eye: full price and trade history · 725,009+ company profiles
Global Importer Coverage
11,145 companies
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.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pakistan | 235,772,675 kg | 618,560,095.293 USD |
| 2 | United States | 105,524,293 kg | 361,732,645 USD |
| 3 | Egypt | 78,683,348.877 kg | 268,515,808.468 USD |
| 4 | Japan | 22,990,508 kg | 138,892,487.243 USD |
| 5 | Germany | 26,750,237.864 kg | 133,998,300.468 USD |
| 6 | Poland | 39,042,294.598 kg | 120,822,444 USD |
| 7 | Canada | 13,734,220.66 kg | 98,177,454.628 USD |
| 8 | Australia | 9,363,895.25 kg | 94,403,030.764 USD |
| 9 | Hong Kong | 11,013,836 kg | 77,824,804.922 USD |
| 10 | India | 43,324,432 kg | 75,889,145.105 USD |
Black Tea Import Trade Flow and Origin Country Summary
Analyze Black Tea origin-to-destination trade flows by value, volume, and share to monitor demand-side sourcing channels.
Tridge Ark · Export Feasibility Check
Your Black Tea — which buyers could it sell to?
Just tell us what you make. We'll see whether you're ready to export today and which markets suit your offer.
Free feasibility check, no account required.
Global Wholesale Supplier Price Trends by Country for Black Tea
Black Tea Monthly Wholesale Supplier Price Summary by Country
Monthly Black Tea wholesale unit-price benchmarks by country for export and sourcing decisions.
| Country | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 | 2026-09 | 2026-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Black Tea Wholesale Price Competitiveness by Major Exporting Countries
Compare Black Tea wholesale price ranges and YoY changes across the top 1 exporting countries to benchmark supplier price competitiveness.
| Rank | Country | Average | Lower | Upper | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ukraine | 0.32 USD / kg | 0.31 USD / kg | 0.33 USD / kg | - |
Latest Black Tea Wholesale Export Price Updates
Use the latest 2 Black Tea wholesale updates to validate current export price points and origin-level supplier changes.
| Date | Entry Name | Unit Price (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | Чай ****** ***** **** ****** ********* ******* * ******* **** | 0.31 USD / kg | |
| 2021-10-01 | Bla** ******** *********** ***** **** * **** * ***** * ****** ************* ****** ******** ****** **** ******** **** ******* ***** ***** ******* *** ********* ****** * **** ** ******* * **** ** ****** ******* ****** | 2.08 USD / kg |
Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupTea
Scientific NameCamellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze
PerishabilityLow (dried, shelf-stable) but quality is sensitive to moisture and odor uptake.
Growing Conditions
- Humid tropical to subtropical climates and suitable highland zones
- Well-distributed rainfall or reliable moisture availability
- Well-drained, acidic soils; erosion control important on sloped terrain
- Temperature and rainfall stability strongly influence flush timing and quality
Main VarietiesCamellia sinensis var. assamica (Assam type), Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (China type)
Consumption Forms
- Brewed hot tea (loose leaf and tea bags)
- Blended black tea products
- Industrial ingredients for ready-to-drink tea and extracts
Grading Factors
- Leaf size/grade (whole leaf, broken, fannings, dust)
- Appearance and uniformity
- Liquor color/strength and aroma profile
- Moisture control and freedom from off-odors
- 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.
Black Tea Country Coverage for Suppliers, Export Flows, and Prices
Explore country-level Black Tea market pages for supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks.
China
Germany
United Kingdom
India
Kenya
Sri Lanka
Pakistan
Singapore
Taiwan
United States
Vietnam
United Arab Emirates
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