Top 10 Tea Producing countries in The world 2025

Ever since it was first discovered in China in 2737 BC, tea has been one of the most popular beverages worldwide. Today, tea is cultivated worldwide, primarily in Asia and Africa. However, it’s commercially produced by more than 60 countries. Here’s a list of the top 10 tea-producing countries in the world from 2020 to 2025.

It would seem by happy coincidence that tea was first discovered (at least as the story goes…) by Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, who first tasted the beverage when he and his soldiers were busy sheltering under a tree.  Several windblown leaves fell into a pot of boiling water, which in turn infused into the water, and tea as a beverage became a reality.

Whether or not this tale is a little tall doesn’t really matter; whatever the truth of its origins, tea rapidly became a staple within Asian culture, as a drink, a medicinal cure-all, and a symbolic part of religious rituals.

Since the 10th century, tea has steadily spread along numerous trade routes through the Middle East and the Himalayas into northern India, eventually reaching these shores by the 17th century via the Dutch East India Company.

• China
• India
• Kenya
• Srilanka
• Turkey
• Indonesia
• Vietnam
• Bangladesh
• Japan
• Iran
  

So let’s travel a little and go on an international journey of tea discovery to find out who the top 10 tea-producing countries in the world are.

Top 10 Tea Producing Countries in the World 2025

1. China

Annual Tea Production: 2.97 million metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Green, Black, Oolong, White, Yellow
Main Tea Growing Regions: Yunnan, Zhejiang, Fujian

China is the undisputed giant of the tea world, and its history with the beverage stretches back nearly 5,000 years. Legend attributes its discovery to Emperor Shennong in 2737 BCE, when leaves from a wild tea tree fell into his boiling water. This ancient origin story marks the beginning of a profound cultural and economic relationship. From the Tang dynasty’s refined tea ceremonies to the Silk Road trade, tea has been central to Chinese civilization.

The country’s vast and varied geography allows for the cultivation of every major tea type. The misty mountains of Yunnan are considered the birthplace of tea and produce rich, earthy Pu-erh and black teas. Fujian is famous for its complex Oolong and delicate white teas, while Zhejiang is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest green teas, including the prized Longjing (Dragon Well). This diversity makes China a powerhouse in both volume and variety.

Economically, China’s tea industry is a massive employer, sustaining millions of rural families. While a significant portion of its production is consumed domestically, China is also a leading exporter. In recent years, the government has promoted sustainable farming practices, encouraging organic cultivation and protecting the biodiversity of its historic tea mountains.

2. India

Annual Tea Production: 1.42 million metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri (Black tea)
Main Tea Growing Regions: Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri

While China is the birthplace of tea, India transformed it into a global commodity. The British introduced large-scale commercial tea plantations in the 19th century to break China’s monopoly. They discovered that the native Camellia sinensis assamica variety thrived in the Brahmaputra Valley, leading to the creation of the Assam tea industry.

Today, India is the world’s second-largest producer, known for its robust and flavorful black teas. Assam tea, grown in the country’s northeast, is famous for its strong, malty character, making it a staple in breakfast blends worldwide. Darjeeling tea, cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal, is often called the “Champagne of teas.” Its delicate, muscatel flavor changes with each harvest or “flush.” The Nilgiri hills in southern India produce fragrant and floral teas year-round.

The tea industry is a cornerstone of the Indian economy, employing over a million workers on its vast estates. India is also one of the largest consumers of tea, with “chai” being an integral part of daily life. Sustainability is a growing focus, with many estates in Darjeeling and Assam gaining organic and Fair Trade certifications.

3. Kenya

Annual Tea Production: 569,500 metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Black tea
Main Tea Growing Regions: Nandi Hills, Kericho, Nyamira

Kenya’s rise in the tea industry has been nothing short of remarkable. Though tea was only introduced in the early 20th century, Kenya has become the world’s third-largest producer and its leading exporter of black tea. The country’s equatorial climate, high altitudes, and rich volcanic soils in the Great Rift Valley provide the perfect conditions for year-round tea cultivation.

Unlike the estate-based models of India and Sri Lanka, a significant portion of Kenya’s tea is grown by over half a million small-scale farmers. These farmers deliver their freshly plucked leaves to central processing factories, many of which are owned by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA). This cooperative model has empowered rural communities and driven economic growth.

Kenyan tea is known for its bright, reddish color and strong, brisk flavor. It is primarily processed using the Crush, Tear, Curl (CTC) method, which produces granular leaves ideal for tea bags. As a result, Kenyan tea is a critical component of many popular blends in Europe and North America. In response to global demand, some Kenyan producers are diversifying into orthodox and specialty teas, including green, white, and purple varieties.

4. Argentina

Annual Tea Production: 335,225 metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Black tea, Yerba Mate
Main Tea Growing Regions: Misiones, Corrientes

Argentina is a major player in the global tea market, particularly in the Americas. Tea cultivation began in the 1920s when the government encouraged farmers to diversify their crops. The subtropical climate of the Misiones and Corrientes provinces in the northeast proved ideal for growing tea.

Argentinian black tea is known for its mild, clear flavor and is almost exclusively machine-harvested. This efficient production method makes it highly competitive on the world stage. The majority of Argentina’s tea is exported, with the United States being its largest market. It is a key ingredient in many ready-to-drink iced tea formulas due to its clarity and lack of bitterness when chilled.

Alongside traditional tea, Argentina is the world’s leading producer of Yerba Mate. While technically a herbal infusion from a different plant (Ilex paraguariensis), Yerba Mate is a culturally significant beverage consumed throughout South America. It contains caffeine and is enjoyed for its earthy flavor and social ritual of sharing.

5. Sri Lanka

Annual Tea Production: 278,489 metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Ceylon tea (Black tea)
Main Tea Growing Regions: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Uva

Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s name is synonymous with high-quality tea. The industry began in the 1860s after a coffee rust fungus wiped out the island’s coffee plantations. Scottish planter James Taylor pioneered tea cultivation, and the industry quickly flourished.

Sri Lankan tea, branded as Ceylon tea, is celebrated for its quality and diversity, which varies dramatically depending on the altitude where it is grown. Teas from the high-altitude region of Nuwara Eliya are light and delicate, while low-grown teas from areas like Ruhuna are strong and full-bodied. Mid-grown teas from Kandy offer a balanced, coppery brew. This variation allows Sri Lanka to cater to a wide range of palates.

The tea industry is vital to Sri Lanka’s economy, being one of its primary sources of foreign exchange and employment. The Sri Lanka Tea Board maintains strict quality controls, and its Lion Logo is a globally recognized trademark signifying 100% pure Ceylon tea. The country is also a leader in sustainable tea production, with a strong commitment to ethical and environmentally friendly practices.

6. Turkey

Annual Tea Production: 255,183 metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Black tea
Main Tea Growing Regions: Rize, Trabzon

Turkey has one of the highest per capita tea consumption rates in the world, and nearly all of it is grown domestically. The country’s tea industry is concentrated along the Black Sea coast, particularly in the province of Rize. This region’s unique microclimate, with its abundant rainfall and acidic soil, is surprisingly well-suited for tea cultivation, despite being outside the traditional tropical tea belt.

Turkish tea, or çay, is a black tea that is typically brewed strong and served in small, tulip-shaped glasses. It is a central element of Turkish hospitality and social life, offered everywhere from homes and bazaars to businesses. The traditional brewing method involves a double teapot called a çaydanlık, which allows each person to dilute the strong tea concentrate with hot water to their preferred strength.

Most of Turkey’s production is consumed locally, but the country is working to increase its exports. The industry is heavily regulated by the state, which supports local farmers and promotes sustainable agriculture.

7. Vietnam

Annual Tea Production: 183,323 metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Green, Black, Oolong
Main Tea Growing Regions: Thai Nguyen, Moc Chau

Vietnam has an ancient tea tradition that predates much of its recorded history. Wild tea trees, some hundreds of years old, still grow in the northern highlands. The country’s diverse topography, from the mountainous north to the central highlands, allows for the production of a wide array of teas.

Thai Nguyen province is the heart of Vietnamese green tea production, known for its crisp, vegetal flavors. The Moc Chau plateau produces high-quality Oolong and black teas. In recent decades, Vietnam has significantly modernized its tea industry, boosting production and improving quality to compete on the international market.

While green tea dominates domestic consumption, black tea accounts for the majority of Vietnam’s exports. The government is actively promoting the industry, encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable practices and develop specialty teas, such as fragrant lotus-scented tea, to appeal to niche markets.

8. Indonesia

Annual Tea Production: 121,000 metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Black, Green
Main Tea Growing Regions: West Java

Tea was introduced to Indonesia by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century. The volcanic soil and tropical climate of islands like Java and Sumatra proved ideal for cultivation, and the industry grew rapidly under colonial rule. Today, Indonesia is a significant producer, with a focus on black tea for export.

Most Indonesian tea is grown on large plantations in West Java. These estates produce black teas that are generally mild and bright, making them suitable for blending. The country is a major supplier to the global commodity tea market, with much of its output used in iced tea mixes and tea bags.

In addition to large-scale commercial production, there is a growing interest in specialty teas. Artisanal producers are experimenting with green, Oolong, and white teas, leveraging the unique terroir of the Indonesian archipelago. The industry also plays an important social role, providing employment for thousands in rural areas.

9. Bangladesh

Annual Tea Production: 96,510 metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Black tea, Green tea
Main Tea Growing Regions: Sylhet, Chittagong, Panchagarh

The history of tea in Bangladesh is intertwined with that of British India. The first commercial tea gardens were established in the Sylhet region in the mid-19th century. After gaining independence, Bangladesh inherited a well-established tea industry that remains a vital part of its economy.

The majority of tea production is concentrated in the northeastern regions of Sylhet and the southeastern hills of Chittagong. These areas provide the hot, humid climate and ample rainfall necessary for growing strong, robust black tea. Most of this tea is processed using the CTC method and is consumed domestically, as Bangladesh has a large and growing population of tea drinkers.

In recent years, the industry has expanded into new areas like Panchagarh in the north to meet rising local demand. There is also a push to increase exports and diversify production to include green tea and other value-added products.

10. Japan

Annual Tea Production: 89,000 metric tons
Key Tea Varieties: Green tea (Sencha, Matcha, Gyokuro)
Main Tea Growing Regions: Shizuoka, Kagoshima, Uji

While Japan’s production volume is smaller than that of other countries on this list, its contribution to the world of tea is immense in terms of quality and culture. Tea was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks returning from China in the 9th century. Over centuries, the Japanese developed unique cultivation and processing methods, culminating in the formal Japanese tea ceremony, or chanoyu.

Japan specializes almost exclusively in green tea. Unlike Chinese green teas, which are typically pan-fired, most Japanese green teas are steamed after harvesting. This process halts oxidation and preserves the vibrant green color and fresh, umami-rich flavor of the leaves. Sencha is the most popular variety for daily drinking, while Matcha, a finely ground powder of specially grown tea leaves, is central to the tea ceremony. Gyokuro is a premium, shade-grown tea prized for its sweet and complex flavor.

The Japanese tea industry is characterized by meticulous attention to detail, from cultivation to final processing. Although the majority of its tea is consumed domestically, high-grade Matcha and Sencha are increasingly popular exports.

The Future of Tea

The global tea industry is at a crossroads, facing both significant challenges and exciting opportunities. Climate change poses a threat to traditional tea-growing regions, with unpredictable weather patterns affecting crop yields and quality. Additionally, an aging workforce and rising production costs are concerns for many countries.

However, there are also promising trends. There is a growing global demand for specialty and wellness teas, creating new markets for artisanal producers. Sustainability is no longer a niche concern but a mainstream expectation, driving innovation in eco-friendly farming and ethical supply chains. As consumers become more knowledgeable and adventurous, the world of tea will continue to evolve, offering an ever-expanding universe of flavors to explore.

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