U.S. Tea Market - Statistics & Facts

Tea is the second most widely consumed beverage worldwide, following only water. In 2015, global tea production amounted to about 5.2 million metric tons. China, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia were among the main tea producers in 2016, based on production volume. China was responsible for about 50 percent of total tea production with 2.35 million metric tons that year. When it comes to trade, the Russian Federation was leading tea importer, with about 548 million U.S. dollars in trade value.

Total wholesale tea sales were estimated to amount to 12 billion U.S. dollars in 2016. The tea market comprises four broad segments: ready-to-drink tea (RTD), the traditional market, the specialty segment and the foodservice segment. The RTD category increased consumer penetration over the past years and continues to be the largest market segment. The leading RTD tea brands were Arizona, Lipton Pure Leaf, and Gold Peak in 2017.

Although coffee is often thought of as America’s preferred beverage, tea has proven itself to be vastly popular as well. A 2017 survey among U.S. consumers showed that 23 percent of respondents drink tea every day, while only ten percent never drink tea at all. Industry experts expect the entire tea market to grow over the next years. Increasing health awareness among shoppers, new flavors and the demand for convenience are seen as major growth opportunities.

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Forecasted size of the global tea market

73.13bn USD

Imports of Fair Trade tea into the U.S.

3.03m lb
Production and Trade
Forecasted size of the global tea market 73.13bn USD Global tea production 5.2m t Global tea exports 1.76m t Tea imported to the United States 486.6m USD Tea imported to the United Kingdom 362.87m USD

Manufacturing: Beverages in the U.S. 2018

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Fair Trade
Imports of Fair Trade tea into the U.S. 3.03m lb Share of Fair Trade tea imported into the U.S. from China 52%
Retail Facts
Total wholesale tea sales in the U.S. 12.5bn USD Retail sales of ready-to-drink tea in the U.S. 7.6 bn USD Sales of Arizona tea in the U.S. 589.52m USD Sales of Lipton bagged/loose leaf tea in the U.S. 230.02 USD
RTD tea
Leading RTD tea company in the U.S., based on sales Pepsi Lipton Tea Partnership
Consumer Behavior
Per capita tea consumption in the U.S. 8.26gal People who drink tea every day 23% People who drink tea during the afternoon 39% People who drink tea to relax 40% People who drink green tea at home 54% People who usually use Lipton tea at home 56% People who usually buy tea at the supermarket 80%

Tea market in the U.S. - Important statistics

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Production and Trade
Forecasted size of the global tea market 73.13bn USD Global tea production 5.2m t Global tea exports 1.76m t Tea imported to the United States 486.6m USD Tea imported to the United Kingdom 362.87m USD

Manufacturing: Beverages in the U.S. 2018

Statista Industry Report - NAICS Code 3121
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  • including revenue forecasts
  • for more than 60 industries
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Hot Drinks in the U.S. 2017

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Hot Drinks Report 2019 - Tea

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Fair Trade
Imports of Fair Trade tea into the U.S. 3.03m lb Share of Fair Trade tea imported into the U.S. from China 52%
Retail Facts
Total wholesale tea sales in the U.S. 12.5bn USD Retail sales of ready-to-drink tea in the U.S. 7.6 bn USD Sales of Arizona tea in the U.S. 589.52m USD Sales of Lipton bagged/loose leaf tea in the U.S. 230.02 USD
RTD tea
Leading RTD tea company in the U.S., based on sales Pepsi Lipton Tea Partnership
Consumer Behavior
Per capita tea consumption in the U.S. 8.26gal People who drink tea every day 23% People who drink tea during the afternoon 39% People who drink tea to relax 40% People who drink green tea at home 54% People who usually use Lipton tea at home 56% People who usually buy tea at the supermarket 80%

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Leading ready-to-drink tea marketers in the U.S. based on sales 2014

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Tea Market Infographic - Where does the UK's tea come from?

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Tea Market Infographic - Where does the UK's tea come from?

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