The global tea industry continues its expansion in 2026, with total production reaching approximately 7.1 million metric tons. China remains the world’s dominant producer, accounting for over 50% of the global volume. This growth is driven by rising per capita consumption in East Asia, Africa, and Latin America, offsetting a slight decline in traditional Western markets.
According to the latest data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the 2025 Global Tea Report, China’s production has reached approximately 3.7 million metric tons. The nation’s western provinces, particularly Yunnan and Guizhou, have emerged as the primary growth drivers, securing China’s position as the leading exporter of green tea.
India maintains its rank as the second-largest producer, contributing approximately 1.3 million metric tons. While the country faces challenges such as shortened harvest seasons in the Assam region, it remains a “nation of a billion tea drinkers,” with over 70% of its total output consumed domestically. Kenya follows as the third-largest producer and the world’s leading exporter of black tea, largely supported by over 650,000 smallholder farmers.
Strategic shifts in the global rankings have seen Turkey emerge as the fourth-largest producer by volume, narrowly surpassing Sri Lanka. Turkish production, concentrated in the humid Rize province along the Black Sea, supports the world’s highest per capita tea consumption rate. Sri Lanka, renowned for its high-quality “Ceylon” tea, remains a critical economic player, with the sector providing 12% of the nation’s annual export earnings.
Industry analysts project that global demand will continue to rise through the end of 2026, reaching an estimated 6.4 million metric tons of consumption. This upward trajectory is supported by increased investment in sustainable farming practices and the diversification of tea varieties, including artisanal and organic offerings.
