In 2024, India surpassed Sri Lanka to become the world's second-largest tea exporter, marking a significant achievement in the global tea trade, according to the latest figures unveiled by the Tea Board of India.
India exported an impressive 254 million kilograms of tea. Meanwhile, Kenya retained its position as the leading global exporter, maintaining its dominance with over 500 million kilograms of tea shipped worldwide.
In 2024, India’s tea exports reached ₹7,112 crore, with 254 million kilograms shipped, surpassing Sri Lanka by 24 million kilograms. This marked India’s second-highest export volume, just behind its 2018 record of 256 million kilograms. In 2023, India and Sri Lanka had been nearly tied at 231 million kilograms each, making this growth even more significant.
Despite India’s tea exports fluctuating between 200-225 million kilograms in recent years—except for the peak of 2018—this remarkable growth has renewed optimism in the industry, aiming to reach the 300-million-kilogram mark by 2030. The country consistently produces an average of 1,400 million kilograms of tea annually.
The growth of India’s tea exports has been largely driven by the orthodox segment, supported by various initiatives from both the Union and state governments in recent years. Prabir Kumar [Bhattacharjee](https://www.dailynews.lk/2025/03/27/admin-catagories/breaking-news/751045/india-surpasses-sri-lanka-to-become-second-largest-tea-exporter/), Secretary General of the Tea Association of India, expressed optimism about the future, stating, "With the Centre's favorable export policies and support from state governments, the industry hopes to expand its export portfolio in the years ahead."
Reflecting on India’s strategy, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Niraj de Mel, recalled a recent conversation with the former president, who conceded that the tea sector had been largely neglected over the past two decades. He also noted that around 250 hectares of land in Sri Lanka had been newly planted with tea.
De Mel further emphasized the importance of tea in Sri Lanka’s economy, stating, “Tea is the fourth-largest foreign exchange earner, generating $162 million from the budget, while we earn US$ 1.43 billion in 2024.” He pointed out that the country’s tea bushes are both old and undernourished, and if Sri Lanka intends to boost exports, the current budget allocation is insufficient to meet those goals.