Tea is a beverage made from the Camellia sinensis plant (as opposed to herbal "teas" which are infusions made from plants that have nothing to do with Camellia sinensis). Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water. It is believed that tea originated in northeast India, north Myanmar (Burma) and southwest China, but the exact place where the plant first grew is not known. There is evidence that tea was consumed in China about 5 000 years ago. Tea plays a significant role in many countries, and is not only a drink, but an ancient tradition, unique to each culture.
Commodity in focus
Tea is one of the most important cash crops and plays a significant role in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in exporting and developing countries. It is a principle source of livelihood for millions of smallholder producers. Tea has also a cultural significance in many societies. The United Nations (UN) designated 21 May as International Tea Day to celebrate the tea industry around the world. This day is meant to raise public awareness of the importance of tea for rural development, sustainable livelihoods as well as its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Publications
Changes in the global tea trade network
16/05/2024
This document describes the evolution of global patterns of tea trade between 2005 and 2020. Based on a network analytical approach, it is shown that most countries traded tea with more partners in 2020 compared with 2005. Especially on the export side, the structure of the tea trade network appears to have undergone some decentralization, in which trade became relatively less concentrated in individual trade hubs.
Assessing the carbon footprint of tea production: case studies and challenges
16/05/2024
Understanding the environmental impact of the entire tea value chain can help identify hotspots for improving and designing sustainable solutions to enable the sector to play its part in the transformative process needed to transit into greener agrifood systems. The objective of this document is to propose a methodology to measure the carbon footprint of the tea sector, and examine the data requirements and some other critical aspects in relation to the implementation of the proposed method.
| Tea is one of the world’s oldest beverages, and is the most consumed drink in the world, after water. | |
| Tea is available in many varieties, which differ according to the applied oxidation and fermentation technique. | |
| Tea cultivation provides employment and income to millions of smallholder growers, who are supplementing or even replacing production of larger tea estates in many countries. | |
| While three quarters of tea produced is consumed domestically, tea is a widely traded and exported commodity. | |
| Over the past decades, the global tea industry has seen rapid growth, with a rising number of consumers globally. | |
| Despite the increase of tea consumption in major producing countries, per capita consumption remains low, suggesting there is still considerable growth potential in these countries. | |
| Drinking tea can bring many health benefits, from anti-inflammatory to antioxidant and weight loss effects. | |
| China, Korea and Japan have four tea cultivation sites designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) by FAO. |
| Tea production and processing represent a source of livelihood for millions of families, including in least developed countries. |
| Tea export earnings help to finance food import bills, supporting the economies of major tea-producing countries. |
| The specific agro-ecological conditions where tea thrives occur in areas which are highly vulnerable to climate change. |
| To ensure benefits for both people and the environment, the tea value chain must be sustainable at all stages, from field to cup. |
Videos
Bringing people together over a cup of tea
17/05/2023
Tea is an age-old symbol of wellbeing that appears in the arts, literature, music and boasts countless colours and varieties. Around the world, tea is our most-loved drink, after water. But tea is more than just a shared experience. To millions of farmers in developing countries, tea is the main source of income.
Tea: a cup of pure comfort
27/06/2022
In the last two years our world has experienced some dramatic changes. COVID-19 has shaken the foundations of our way of life. In turbulent times one feelgood gesture has connected populations across the globe. The simple act of sharing a cup of tea. We prepare tea in many ways, but this ancient ritual stretches beyond cultures. Tea is a culture in itself.
International Tea Day 2022 | Tea: the essence of unity
20/05/2022
Steeped in ritual and legacy, tea is the world’s best-loved beverage, after water. Globally, the tea-economy helps sustain the livelihoods of millions of smallholder households. From Egypt to China, Afghanistan to Sri Lanka and Viet Nam, small-scale farmers produce 60% of the world’s tea.
Tea and coffee: The aroma of unity
19/10/2021
These beverages are more than just a brew, they embody hundreds of years of knowledge that spans across generations. Tea and coffee are linked to many potential health benefits, as mounting scientific evidence has shown. To millions of farmers in the poorest parts of the world, however, tea and coffee represent a source of income, livelihoods and a ladder out of poverty.
Tea: A Resilient Sector
21/05/2021
The origins of tea stretch back more than 5 000 years, but its contributions to health, culture and socioeconomic development are still as relevant today. Tea is currently grown in very localized areas, and supports over 13 million people, including smallholder farmers and their households, who depend on the tea sector for their livelihoods.
Related websites
- Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP)
- FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea
- International Tea Day
- Tea Advisory Panel
- Global Commodity Markets
Latest video
Join the conversation
For general inquiries, contact: