10 World’s Biggest Tea Producing-Countries
10 World’s Biggest Tea-Producing Countries in 2022-Tea plants or known by the scientific name Camellia sinensis is one of the important commodities in the world which are included in the Magnoliopsida class and the Order Ericales. Historically, this plant probably came from the East Asia Region, which is around the Southwest region of China. Etymologically, the name Sinensis in Latin means China while Camellia is taken from the Latin name of the Reverend Georg Kamel, S.J (1661 – 1706), a Czech-born priest who became a botanist.
Until now, the development of tea shows that production tends to increase. In 2022, the World’s Tea production reached 29.7 million tonnes with harvested areas around 5.2 million hectares (ha). Basically, in the last 20 years from 2000 to 2022, the production has increased gradually. In 2000, the world’s tea production just around 12 million tonnes with harvested area around 2.3 million hectares (Ha).
World’s Production and Harvested Areas of Teal Leaves From 1970 to 2022
| Years | Harvested Areas | Production of Tea Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| (Hectares) | (Tons) | |
| 1970 | 1,668,290 | 1,286,757 |
| 1971 | 1,737,148 | 1,308,424 |
| 1972 | 1,801,084 | 1,405,269 |
| 1973 | 1,933,553 | 1,465,134 |
| 1974 | 2,053,260 | 1,492,601 |
| 1975 | 2,167,122 | 1,549,347 |
| 1976 | 2,232,890 | 1,591,872 |
| 1977 | 2,306,439 | 1,771,000 |
| 1978 | 2,363,929 | 1,805,757 |
| 1979 | 2,363,163 | 1,834,132 |
| 1980 | 2,369,480 | 1,893,527 |
| 1981 | 2,384,664 | 1,885,907 |
| 1982 | 2,449,667 | 1,961,781 |
| 1983 | 2,474,358 | 2,062,325 |
| 1984 | 2,410,441 | 2,202,636 |
| 1985 | 2,156,659 | 2,307,534 |
| 1986 | 2,193,347 | 2,293,102 |
| 1987 | 2,201,018 | 2,358,977 |
| 1988 | 2,209,188 | 2,448,034 |
| 1989 | 2,224,222 | 2,472,861 |
| 1990 | 2,237,786 | 2,524,670 |
| 1991 | 2,257,039 | 10,294,497 |
| 1992 | 2,281,470 | 10,201,654 |
| 1993 | 2,296,422 | 10,577,491 |
| 1994 | 2,279,630 | 10,698,424 |
| 1995 | 2,263,895 | 10,757,229 |
| 1996 | 2,285,870 | 11,090,062 |
| 1997 | 2,289,331 | 11,440,097 |
| 1998 | 2,276,479 | 12,467,710 |
| 1999 | 2,377,661 | 12,815,552 |
| 2000 | 2,365,808 | 12,353,949 |
| 2001 | 2,390,047 | 12,895,996 |
| 2002 | 2,442,387 | 13,218,367 |
| 2003 | 2,497,236 | 13,451,325 |
| 2004 | 2,577,691 | 14,317,776 |
| 2005 | 2,683,649 | 15,120,033 |
| 2006 | 2,719,393 | 15,410,890 |
| 2007 | 2,882,005 | 16,600,827 |
| 2008 | 2,985,426 | 17,018,413 |
| 2009 | 3,041,844 | 17,210,010 |
| 2010 | 3,153,931 | 18,577,510 |
| 2011 | 3,409,725 | 19,550,189 |
| 2012 | 3,512,346 | 20,492,501 |
| 2013 | 3,615,447 | 21,719,287 |
| 2014 | 3,787,939 | 22,664,922 |
| 2015 | 3,895,181 | 23,434,520 |
| 2016 | 4,172,487 | 23,857,739 |
| 2017 | 4,687,608 | 24,819,663 |
| 2018 | 4,867,874 | 26,086,054 |
| 2019 | 5,143,663 | 26,660,081 |
| 2020 | 5,105,000 | 27,197,669 |
| 2021 | 5,245,319 | 28,191,556 |
| 2022 5,268,337 29,760,667 Source: FAOSTAT, 2024 | ||
Specifically, in continental regions, Asia still becomes the main area of tea production regions. The production of tea leaves from Asia reached 26 million tonnes in 2022. Meanwhile, Africa is the second position after Asia with the production of tea leaves reached 3.2 million tons. Americas is the third position with production around 363 thousand tonnes.
Statistical Production Of Tea Leaves Based on Continents
Based on the processing treatment, many types of tea are produced. White tea, black/red tea, green tea, Pu-erh tea are some types of tea that are well-known products in several countries in the world. In addition to having a delicious and refreshing taste, tea also contains antioxidant compounds that are healthy for the body.
Commonly, there are some popular tea which can be drunk by people, namely black tea, green tea, white tea, and Pu-er tea. Black tea or red tea is obtained from a high oxidation process so that it contains more caffeine than other types of tea. Furthermore, Green tea does not undergo an oxidation process at all. The caffeine content in green tea is still lower than black tea, but higher than white tea. Meanwhile, white tea is tea that comes from the youngest tea leaves that are still rolled up at the top of the tea tree leaves. These young tea leaves will turn whitish after the leaves are dried. White tea has the highest antioxidants compared to other tea variants. White tea is efficacious for preventing premature aging, maintaining heart function, and lowering cholesterol and fat levels. In addition, Pu-er tea is made through a fairly long fermentation process, which can take years to decades. The longer this tea is fermented, the better it tastes. However, this tea usually has a slightly pungent odor due to the fungi and good bacteria in the fermentation process.
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Statistically, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), has ranked some of the countries with the world’s largest production. The tea leaves that have been harvested are of course not only used for domestic needs but also for export purposes because of the increasing demand. Here are the biggest of Tea-Producing Countries in 2022.
Table Rank of the 10 World’s Biggest Tea-Producing Countries in 2022
| Ranks | Countires | Production of Tea Leaves in 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 14,530,800 |
| 2 | India | 5,969,000 |
| 3 | Kenya | 2,326,000 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 1,400,000 |
| 5 | Türkiye | 1,300,000 |
| 6 | Viet Nam | 1,116,746 |
| 7 | Indonesia | 595,000 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 440,000 |
| 9 | Argentina | 355,144 |
| 10 | Uganda | 326,000 |
Source : FAOSTAT, 2022 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Tea-Producing Countries in 2022
1.China
China became the world’s biggest tea-producing country with production reaching 14.5 million tons in 2022. In this Panda Country, tea plantation area is about 3.1 million hectares. Tea planting areas in China spread over several regions. The provinces with the largest tea-growing areas in China are Guizhou, Yunan, Sichuan, Hubei, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Anhui. Guizhou with an area of 459.4 thousand hectares. Meanwhile Yunan with an area of 401.3 thousand hectares. Sichuan with an area of 321.1 thousand hectares. Hubei with an area of 310.7 thousand hectares. Fujian has an area of 246.7 thousand hectares and Zhejiang with an area of 196.7 thousand hectares. Anhui has an area of 170.0 thousand hectares.
Based on the type, green tea, Dark tea, and Oolong tea are some of the most popular. It is the most widely produced type of tea in this country. In this country, the tradition of drinking tea has been going on for a long time. The practice of drinking tea is thought to have started in the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD).
2.India
India is the 2nd largest tea-producing country in the world with production reaching 5.9 million tons in 2022. Geographically, tea cultivation in India is concentrated in several regions. Based on data from the Indian Tea Association, the main tea plantation areas in India are West Bengal and Assam. Tea plantations in West Bengal Province reach 115,000 hectares and in Assam Province reach 32,000 hectares. Genetically, the types of tea grown in India include Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri, Kangra, Munnar, Dooars-Terai, and Masala Tea. Of all tea production in India, about 70% is for domestic needs and the rest is for export.
3. Kenya
Kenya is the 3rd biggest tea-producing country in the world with production reaching 2.3 million tons in 2022 with the tea plantation area in this country reaching 269 thousand hectares. Geographically, Kenyan tea is widely grown in several districts such as Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, Kiambu, Thika, Maragua, Muranga, Sotik, Kisii, Nyamira, Nyambene, Meru, Pain, Kerinyaga, Embu, Kakamega, Nakuru, and Trans-nzoia. The country of Kenya is known as the largest black tea producer in the world and became India’s competitor in terms of black tea production.
4. Srilanka
Sri Lanka is the 4th largest tea-producing country in the world with production reaching 1.4 million tons in 2022 with a planted area of 200 thousand hectares. Geographically, the central areas of tea cultivation in Sri Lanka spread over several regions, namely the provinces of Eliya, Dimbula, Uva, Uda Pusselawa, Kandy, Ruhuna, and Sabaragumawa.
5. Türkiye
Turkey is the 5th biggest tea-producing country in the world with production reaching 1.3 million tons in 2022 with a tea plantation area of 84 thousand hectares. In this country, many tea plants cultivation takes place in Rize Province. Turks like to drink tea so much of Turkey’s national tea production is for domestic needs and only a small part for export purposes.
6. Vietnam
Vietnam is the 6th biggest tea-producing country in the world with production reaching 1.1 million tons in 2022 with an area of 115,000 hectares. In this country, the type of green tea, Black tea Oolong tea is very popular with its citizens. Much of Vietnam’s tea cultivation take place in northern and northwestern regions such as the provinces of Thái Nguyên and Lâmng.
7. Indonesia
Indonesia is the 7th biggest tea-producing country in the world with production reaching 595 thousand tons in 2022 with an area ranging from 108 thousand hectares. Geographically, the provinces that produce the most tea in Indonesia are West Java (contributing about 70% of the national tea production), Central Java, and North Sumatra.
8. Bangladesh
Bangladesh is the 8th biggest tea-producing country in the world with production reaching 393 thousand tons in 2022 with a tea plantation area of around 440 thousand hectares. One of the tea-growing areas in the country is in the Sylhet Region.
9.Argentina
Argentina is the 9th biggest producers of Tea Leaves in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2022, the production of tea leaves from Argentina reached 355,144 tons. Geographically, in Argentina, The tea plantations are mostly grown in the highlands of the Misiones and Corrientes provinces in north-eastern of Argentina. in this country, there is a popular tea in Argentina, namely Mate (herbal teas).
10.Uganda
Uganda is the 10th biggest producers of Tea Leaves in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2022, the production of tea leaves from Uganda reached 326,000 tons. Geographically, the tea of Uganda is commonly cultivated on the slopes of Mount Rwenzori and along the crescent of Lake Victoria areas of Bushenyi, Hoima, Kabarole, Kanungu, Kibaale, Kisoro, Mbarara, Mukono, Mityana, Rukungiri and Wakiso. in this country, tea is one of the main agriculture commodities because tea is traditionally Uganda’s third largest agricultural export commodity by value.
11. Myanmar
Myanmar is one of the biggest tea-producing country in the world with production reaching 132 thousand tons in 2019 with an area of 89 thousand hectares. Much of the tea produced in this country comes from the Shan State.
12. Iran
Iran is one of the biggest tea-producing country in the world with production reaching 90.8 thousand tons in 2019 with an area of 16,000 hectares. In this country, Gilan province is the main center of tea cultivation in this country.
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Bibliography 10 Biggest Tea Producing-Countries in the World in 2022
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