China is the top global tea producer, producing an annual volume of nearly 3.1 million metric tons in recent years. The British introduced tea consumption and production to India in the early 1800s, in order to create a competing market for China. India is the second largest producer of tea worldwide, followed by Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Sustainable farming practices within tea production have become more important in recent years; the estimated global production of UTZ certified tea has increased by almost 90 percent since 2012, although 2020 and 2021 saw a significant decline.
Ready-to-drink (RTD) tea is a segment of the market which is set to experience strong growth in the future; the RTD tea market is forecast to reach almost 30 billion U.S. dollars worldwide by 2024. RTD tea beverages can be still or sparkling, and with additional flavorings. In terms of volume sales, ready-to-drink tea was one of the top-selling liquid refreshment beverages worldwide. Some niche categories also exist within the market, including healthier options. The size of the kombucha market worldwide, a fermented tea beverage consumed for its health benefits, is also estimated to grow in coming years.
