The top tea-producing countries in the world

The story behind the discovery of tea is rich with history, much like the beverage itself. Its roots can be traced back to ancient China, where legend suggests that tea was discovered entirely by chance. What began as an unexpected find has blossomed into one of the most widely consumed drinks globally: five billion cups of tea are consumed across the world every day!

Tea is far more than just a product. In numerous countries, it represents hospitality and is an integral part of social customs, highlighting the significance of this cherished beverage in various cultures. Today, tea cultivation has evolved into a highly lucrative economic opportunity, attracting billions of consumers around the globe. In this gallery, we explore some of the leading tea producers worldwide. Click on to discover them.

Georgia

In the early 20th century, wary of expensive Chinese tea imports, Russian planters started growing tea in Georgia. Soon, it became the fourth largest producer of tea. But with the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgian tea fell off the map. In recent years, efforts have been made to revive the once thriving tea industry. According to the latest numbers from 2023, Georgia produced 2,300 tons of tea.

Papua New Guinea

British and Australian planters decided to grow tea on this island in the 1960s. A favorable climate and fertile soil ensured the crop flourished and became one of the country's major commodities. Papua New Guinea produced about 5,500 tons of tea in 2023, the most recent figures available.

Ethiopia

Tea cultivation took off in multiple stages in Ethiopia: in 1927, via Canadian missionaries who brought seeds from Kenya; in 1928, by the British with tea from India; and then in 1957, by Belgian experts who boosted the country’s tea-producing capability. According to the most recent figures from 2022, Ethiopia produced close to 11,500 tons of tea.

Laos

Laos has been growing tea as early as the 7th century CE when Chinese traders started developing tea farms in northern provinces close to the Chinese border. Even today, the majority of the tea in the country is grown in this region. Laos produced about 12,000 tons of tea in 2024.

Taiwan

The earliest records of tea plantations date back to the 1700s when tea leaves and seeds were brought to the country from the tea-growing provinces of South China. With help from Scottish merchants who sought to rival the British tea trade in India, Taiwan began to export tea on a commercial scale. In 2023, Taiwan produced close to 13,000 tons of tea.

Mozambique

Introduced by Portuguese colonizers in the 1930s, tea cultivation soon became an economic resource. The plantations flourished in regions of high altitude with fertile soil and adequate rainfall, making it one of the main cash crops of the country. In 2024, Mozambique produced about 34,000 tons.

Zimbabwe

Tea plantations in Zimbabwe started in the 1900s after British planters smuggled tea leaves and seeds from India. Regions at a higher elevation and with relatively moderate temperatures proved to be conducive for growing tea. In 2023, Zimbabwe produced about 66,000 tons of tea.

Myanmar

Sharing borders with the major tea producers in the world, such as China, India, and Bangladesh, Myanmar has a long history of tea cultivation. It has always been a part of Myanmar’s culture, so much so that tea leaves are a part of traditional cuisines. Myanmar produced 118,000 tons of tea in 2023.

Tanzania

Tanzania is emerging as an important player in the tea sector; indeed, tea is one of the biggest cash crops in the country. Introduced by German settlers in 1902, tea cultivation grew gradually to become a commercially viable industry and accelerated after the nation’s independence in 1961. In 2023, Tanzania produced about 130,000 tons of tea.

Rwanda

Tea cultivation in Rwanda can be traced back to German missionaries in the early 20th century. Since then, the tea industry has flourished, making Rwanda one of the important tea producers in Africa. In 2023, Rwanda produced about 165,000 tons of tea.

Japan

Known for its green tea, Japan is one of the largest tea cultivators in the world. Tea preparation and consumption form an integral part of Japanese culture, which is becoming popular all over the world. The island nation produced about 300,000 tons of tea in 2023.

Argentina

The largest tea producer in the Americas, Argentina also produces great amounts of coffee and yerba maté. In the 1920s, Argentina imported tea seeds from China as a way to boost its agricultural economy. In 2024, the country produced about 369,000 tons of tea.

Indonesia

Tea cultivation in Indonesia goes way back to the 1700s, when Dutch colonists started planting Indian tea, which thrived in the region. Indonesia has now become a major contributor to the tea trade, producing close to 647,000 tons of tea in 2024.

Turkey

Tea is such an inseparable part of Turkish culture that it features on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Not surprisingly, it is also one of the most consumed beverages in the country. Turkey produces 1.3 million tons of tea per year, as of 2025.

Kenya

Kenya is the largest tea producer in Africa. Introduced by colonial settlers in the early decades of the 20th century, tea has now become one of the most important cash crops in the country. The total tea produced in Kenya is 2.5 million tons per year, as of 2025.