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.

Peru

Peru has emerged as a key player in the tea industry in recent years. Primarily known for its coffee plantations, the country is witnessing a growing interest in tea plantations and consumption, owing to the demand in the international market. Peru produced about 3,300 tons of tea in 2024.

Cameroon

Tea was introduced in Cameroon in 1926 by German planters. Since then, tea production capacities have increased significantly in the country. Cameroon produced about 6,000 tons of tea in 2023.

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.

Malaysia

British entrepreneurs set up tea plantations and processing facilities in 1929 when they saw an opportunity to grow tea in Malaysia, along with its main crop, rubber. The company, BOH Plantations, is still operational and produces 70% of the country’s tea. Overall, Malaysia produced about 15,000 tons in 2023.

Burundi

It was in the 1930s when Burundi started cultivating tea, and it was only after its independence in 1964 that the country saw large-scale tea plantations. Its cultivation significantly contributes to the nation’s exports, with a production of 62,500 tons in 2023.

Thailand

The northern parts of the country create a favorable environment for the cultivation of tea. Though not a significant part of Thailand’s agriculture, tea is an important constituent in many rituals and ceremonies. Thailand produced about 108,800 tons of tea in 2024.

Nepal

Regions of high altitude and hilly farmlands create a nourishing and fertile environment for the growth of high-quality tea. Currently, Nepal’s tea industry has started to compete with Indian and Chinese varieties in the international market. Nepal produced 129,000 tons of tea in 2023.

Iran

It is believed that tea was introduced to Iran in the 16th century from China via the Silk Road, and it quickly became ingrained in the nation's culture. When tea started replacing coffee in everyday life, Iranians began cultivating the crop in the northern hilly regions around 1899. Iran is one of the important cultivators of tea in the region, with production reaching up to 145,000 tons in 2024.

Malawi

Tea was introduced in Malawi in the latter part of the 19th century by Scottish missionaries. After several failed attempts, tea cultivation began to spread throughout the country. Today, Malawi is the third largest producer of tea in Africa. In 2023, the country produced about 246,000 tons of tea.

Uganda

Tea production in Uganda began in the early 1900s. By 1930, the country started cultivating tea for commercial purposes, with volumes comparable to that of Kenya by the 1970s. However, political instability became a roadblock. In 2024, Uganda produced 326,000 tons of tea.

Bangladesh

Tea has been grown in Bangladesh since British colonial times. The regions where it is grown are similar to the hilly states of neighboring India. Much of Bangladesh’s tea is grown for consumption within the country. It produced 400,000 tons of tea in 2024.

Vietnam

Introduced by the French in the 1880s, tea became one of the most important sources of revenue for the nation until the Vietnam War. Since then, the industry has recovered and gained momentum in the past 25 years. As of 2025, Vietnam produces 1.1 million tons of tea per year.

Sri Lanka

A former British colony, tea cultivation started when British planters sought options to replace diseased coffee plantations in the middle of the 19th century. Today, Sri Lanka has a booming tea industry and, as of 2025, produces 1.4 million tons of tea annually.

India

India has been cultivating tea since the early 17th century, when the British discovered tea plants and introduced select species from China to the hilly states of east India. The country has one of the largest tea-producing regions in the world: Assam and Darjeeling. As of 2025, India produces close to six million tons of tea per year.