HS Code:
The 'Tea, whether or not flavored' category, classified under HS Code 0902, encompasses a wide range of tea products including black tea, green tea, and flavored or blended teas. This category is a significant part of the global beverage trade, with tea being one of the most consumed beverages worldwide. It includes both packaged and bulk tea, catering to diverse consumer preferences across cultures and regions. The trade of tea is influenced by factors such as climate suitability for cultivation, historical trade routes, and consumer trends towards health and wellness.
Total Trade Volume
USD 8.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
6.5%
Highest Rate
35% (applied by certain countries on non-preferential trade partners)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-UK or RCEP)
Rising demand for organic and specialty teas
Increased exports from countries with organic certification capabilities; higher price premiums for producers
2021-2023
Growth in ready-to-drink (RTD) tea products
Shift in trade patterns towards processed tea products rather than raw tea leaves; benefits for countries with processing infrastructure
2020-2022
Health and wellness consumer preferences
Boost in green tea and herbal tea exports due to perceived health benefits; diversification in product offerings
2019-2023
The European Union introduced stricter maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides on imported tea, impacting exporters from major tea-producing countries.
March 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters; potential reduction in exports from non-compliant regions
A new trade agreement between Kenya and the UK ensures duty-free access for Kenyan tea, bolstering Kenya's position in the UK market post-Brexit.
January 2022
Strengthened trade volume for Kenya; competitive advantage over non-preferential partners
Adverse weather conditions and policy changes on fertilizer use in Sri Lanka have led to a significant drop in tea production and exports.
Mid-2022
Reduced global supply from Sri Lanka; potential price increases and market share gains for competitors