Parent Product
Black Tea
HS Code
090240
Last Updated
2026-05-10
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- Nilgiri Tea market coverage spans 134 countries.
- 253 exporter companies and 311 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
- 270 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 5 countries.
- 0 premium suppliers and 0 catalog items are currently listed.
- Wholesale sample entries: 0; farmgate sample entries: 0.
- Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2024.
- Page data last updated on 2026-05-10.
Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Nilgiri Tea
Analyze 270 supplier-linked transactions across the top 5 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Nilgiri Tea.
Nilgiri Tea Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum
Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Nilgiri Tea to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Nilgiri Tea: Singapore (+3289.7%), India (+141.2%), Taiwan (-84.8%).
Nilgiri Tea Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary
As of 2025-06, benchmark Nilgiri Tea country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-11, countries with visible Nilgiri Tea transaction unit prices: United States (3.70 USD / kg), India (2.63 USD / kg), Indonesia (1.76 USD / kg).
| Country | YoY Change | Transaction Count | 2025-06 | 2025-07 | 2025-08 | 2025-09 | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | +141.2% | 242 | 2.71 USD / kg (208,773 kg) | 3.18 USD / kg (126,727 kg) | 3.21 USD / kg (253,623.27 kg) | 3.33 USD / kg (116,508.8 kg) | 3.65 USD / kg (93,550 kg) | 2.63 USD / kg (125,086 kg) | ||||||
| Singapore | +3289.7% | 1 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Taiwan | -84.8% | 1 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Indonesia | -10.4% | 23 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | 2.02 USD / kg (49,016 kg) | 1.83 USD / kg (98,016 kg) | 1.76 USD / kg (45,080 kg) | ||||||
| United States | +11.4% | 3 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | 4.24 USD / kg (21.75 kg) | - (-) | 3.70 USD / kg (128.43 kg) |
Nilgiri Tea Global Supply Chain Coverage
564 companies
253 exporters and 311 importers are mapped for Nilgiri Tea.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Nilgiri Tea, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.
Nilgiri Tea Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals
253 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Nilgiri Tea. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.
Top Exporting Countries for Nilgiri Tea (HS Code 090240) in 2024
For Nilgiri 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 | 137,407,611.065 kg | 674,133,708.859 USD |
| 2 | India | 221,323,049.765 kg | 666,913,530.264 USD |
| 3 | Argentina | 56,129,704 kg | 63,424,363.6 USD |
| 4 | Germany | 7,937,504.748 kg | 56,798,171.163 USD |
| 5 | Switzerland | 6,670,664.505 kg | 22,636,040.215 USD |
| 6 | South Korea | 2,652,435.063 kg | 13,759,242 USD |
| 7 | Zimbabwe | 10,180,314 kg | 13,561,625.028 USD |
| 8 | Netherlands | 2,584,373 kg | 10,475,034.556 USD |
| 9 | Poland | 1,528,265.904 kg | 9,510,030 USD |
| 10 | United States | 2,007,751 kg | 8,436,815 USD |
Nilgiri Tea Export Trade Flow and Partner Country Summary
Track Nilgiri Tea exporter-to-importer flows by value, volume, and share to uncover high-potential export routes.
Nilgiri Tea Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks
311 importer companies are mapped for Nilgiri Tea demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.
Top Import Demand Countries for Nilgiri Tea (HS Code 090240) in 2024
For Nilgiri Tea in 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 10 demand countries to identify priority markets.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pakistan | 235,769,695 kg | 618,534,770.796 USD |
| 2 | Egypt | 77,552,871.526 kg | 255,892,844.286 USD |
| 3 | United States | 85,539,771 kg | 183,304,501 USD |
| 4 | Japan | 20,356,859 kg | 88,935,590.619 USD |
| 5 | Poland | 34,711,433.614 kg | 76,052,721 USD |
| 6 | India | 43,311,378 kg | 75,680,308.346 USD |
| 7 | Germany | 17,206,504.965 kg | 64,470,119.582 USD |
| 8 | Azerbaijan | 11,835,234.438 kg | 61,032,843.86 USD |
| 9 | Malaysia | 26,317,144.137 kg | 43,892,764.444 USD |
| 10 | Hong Kong | 4,856,842 kg | 36,662,978.117 USD |
Nilgiri Tea Import Trade Flow and Origin Country Summary
Analyze Nilgiri Tea origin-to-destination trade flows by value, volume, and share to monitor demand-side sourcing channels.
Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupTea
Scientific NameCamellia sinensis
PerishabilityLow
Growing Conditions
- High-elevation cultivation reported at approximately 1000–2500 meters above sea level in the Nilgiri Hills
- High rainfall environment reported at approximately 150–230 cm annually
- Influenced by both south-west and north-east monsoons, supporting year-round plucking
Main VarietiesOrthodox black tea, CTC black tea
Consumption Forms
- Brewed hot tea
- Iced tea applications
- Blending component in black tea mixes
Grading Factors
- Manufacturing style (Orthodox vs CTC) and resulting leaf appearance
- Aroma intensity and fragrant character
- Briskness and brightness in liquor
- Overall balance of flavor and body (blending performance)
Market
Nilgiri tea is a South Indian black tea produced in the Nilgiri Hills (“Blue Mountains”) and positioned as an aromatic, brisk tea widely used for blending. The origin’s dual monsoon influence supports near year-round plucking, helping smooth seasonal availability relative to single-harvest origins. In global trade it competes within the broader tea market (HS 0902), where demand is concentrated in large importing markets including Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia. GI protection for “Nilgiri Orthodox” supports origin differentiation but increases the importance of traceability and correct labeling in international channels.
Market GrowthMixed (2020–2024)trade-value fluctuations year to year at the HS 0902 category level
Major Producing Countries
- IndiaNilgiri tea is produced in the Nilgiri Hills (the ‘Blue Mountains’) spanning parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Major Exporting Countries
- IndiaExports are reported under broader tea categories (HS 0902); Nilgiri tea is an origin-differentiated subset within India’s tea exports.
Major Importing Countries
- PakistanTop importing market for HS 0902 tea (category-level context; not specific to Nilgiri).
- United StatesTop importing market for HS 0902 tea (category-level context; not specific to Nilgiri).
- United KingdomTop importing market for HS 0902 tea (category-level context; not specific to Nilgiri).
- United Arab EmiratesTop importing market for HS 0902 tea; also functions as a regional trading/re-export hub (category-level context; not specific to Nilgiri).
- RussiaTop importing market for HS 0902 tea (category-level context; not specific to Nilgiri).
Supply Calendar
- Nilgiri Hills (South India):Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, DecPlucking occurs around the year due to the influence of both south-west and north-east monsoons.
Specification
Major VarietiesOrthodox black tea, CTC black tea, Nilgiri Orthodox (GI-protected origin style)
Physical Attributes
- Fragrant and aromatic cup profile
- Often described as slightly fruity and minty
- Brisk and bright character; commonly positioned as a blending tea
- Golden-yellow liquor with delicate floral notes (as described by Tea Board of India)
Compositional Metrics
- ISO 3720 defines basic requirements and chemical criteria for black tea intended for beverage use (category-level reference for black tea products).
Packaging
- Packing and marking practices for black tea are addressed in ISO 3720 (category-level reference); moisture/odour protection is a common buyer expectation for maintaining aroma quality.
ProcessingManufactured as both Orthodox and CTC black tea in the Nilgiri region.Nilgiri tea is frequently positioned as a blending component due to its balance of flavor and body.
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- Green leaf plucking (year-round) -> factory manufacturing (Orthodox or CTC black tea) -> sorting -> bulk dispatch/auction or private sale -> blending/packing -> export/import distribution
Demand Drivers
- Blending utility: balanced flavor and body described as a “blender’s dream” by Tea Board of India
- Origin differentiation via “Nilgiri Orthodox” GI positioning
- Year-round leaf availability supporting consistent supply programs
Temperature
- For dried tea, quality preservation is driven more by moisture and odour control than refrigeration; storage and packing/marking requirements are addressed in ISO 3720 at the black-tea standard level.
Risks
Climate HighNilgiri tea supply depends on monsoon-linked growing conditions and year-round plucking; increasing weather volatility and extreme events can disrupt yields and cup quality and may amplify pest and disease outbreaks in South Indian tea systems.Use climate-risk monitoring for the Western Ghats/South India, maintain multi-origin contingency sourcing within broader tea programs, and support adaptive agronomy and integrated pest management through local technical bodies (e.g., UPASI TRF guidance).
Regulatory Compliance MediumPesticide-residue compliance can constrain exportability: Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are used as international reference points and can influence border controls and buyer specifications for tea shipments.Align crop protection practices with GAP and target-market requirements, implement residue-monitoring programs, and verify conformity against Codex MRL references and destination-market limits.
Traceability And Label Integrity MediumGI positioning for “Nilgiri Orthodox” increases exposure to mislabeling and origin-claim misuse in downstream blending and packing channels, which can trigger reputational and legal disputes.Maintain documented chain-of-custody, use authorized GI/logo/licensing pathways where applicable, and perform periodic authenticity and supplier audits.
Price And Income Volatility MediumTea markets are exposed to price pressure and buyer-driven cost constraints, which can weaken reinvestment capacity in farm/estate maintenance and social compliance programs.Use longer-term contracting where feasible, integrate sustainability premiums or verified programs, and track cost-of-production and wage/living-income benchmarks in supplier engagement.
Sustainability
- Climate variability and more extreme weather affecting tea yields and quality, with associated farm-level resilience pressures.
- Climate-driven pest and disease pressure risk affecting productivity (reported as a sector concern in South India by UPASI Tea Research Foundation).
- Land suitability and long-run cultivation pressures in the Nilgiri region under extreme climate conditions (as discussed in Nilgiri land-suitability research).
Labor & Social
- Tea supply chains face persistent scrutiny around plantation worker conditions, wages, and occupational health and safety (documented in India-focused tea plantation working-conditions research).
- Low prices and livelihood constraints for tea farmers and workers are a recurring global sector theme highlighted by sustainability organizations.
FAQ
Where is Nilgiri tea produced?Nilgiri tea is produced in the Nilgiri Hills (“Blue Mountains”) of South India; Tea Board India describes the Nilgiri Hills as spanning parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Is Nilgiri tea seasonal or available year-round?Tea Board India states that Nilgiri tea leaves are plucked around the year because the Nilgiri Hills are influenced by both the south-west and north-east monsoons.
What types of tea are made in the Nilgiri region, and what does “Nilgiri Orthodox” mean?Tea Board India notes that both Orthodox and CTC teas are manufactured in the Nilgiri region, and that “Nilgiri Orthodox” is registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) for origin differentiation.
Sources
Nilgiri Tea Country Coverage for Suppliers, Export Flows, and Prices
Explore country-level Nilgiri Tea market pages for supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks.
Kenya
Pakistan
United Kingdom
India
China
Egypt
Indonesia
Saudi Arabia
Germany
Tanzania
United Arab Emirates
France
All country market pages: Kenya, Pakistan, United Kingdom, India, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, France, Argentina, United States, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Azerbaijan, Malawi, Malaysia, Chile, Uganda, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Czechia, Jordan, Bolivia, Switzerland, Burundi, Japan, Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Taiwan, Poland, Turkiye, South Africa, Thailand, Paraguay, Oman, Mozambique, Ukraine, South Korea, Senegal, Spain, Russia, Togo, Canada, Philippines, Sweden, Singapore, Ethiopia, Ireland, Jamaica, Italy, Peru, Nigeria, Belgium, Denmark, Qatar, Australia, Kuwait, Ecuador, Austria, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Benin, Bermuda, Brunei, Brazil, Bahamas, Botswana, Belize, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Croatia, Hungary, Israel, Iran, Iceland, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Laos, Liberia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Moldova, Montenegro, Madagascar, Macedonia, Myanmar [Burma], Mongolia, Macao, Malta, Mauritius, Maldives, Mexico, Namibia, Niger, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Panama, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, El Salvador, Swaziland, Uruguay, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Zambia
Related Nilgiri Tea Product Categories
Browse parent, sub, derived, and raw-material product market pages related to Nilgiri Tea.
Parent product: Black Tea
By clicking “Accept Cookies,” I agree to provide cookies for statistical and personalized preference purposes. To learn more about our cookies, please read our Privacy Policy.