Turkish tea exported to 104 countries in H1, generating $16.9M

Turkish tea, one of the most important agricultural products of the country, was sold to 104 countries in the first six months of the year, primarily to Europe, according to data from the Eastern Black Sea Exporters' Association (DKIB).

Some 3,000 metric tons of tea from Türkiye was exported, generating $16.9 million in revenue, the data showed, versus 2,897 metric tons totaling $13.9 million in the first half of last year.

Belgium, the UK, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were the top three buyers of Turkish tea.

Turkish tea exports to Belgium reached $7.7 million, while the UK bought tea from Türkiye worth $2 million and the TRNC $1.5 million, according to the DKIB.

Over half of Türkiye's tea exports came from the coastal city of Rize in the north, accounting for 58% and generating $9.8 million in revenue, while Belgium bought tea worth $7.7 million, the TRNC $718,000, and the US $310,000 from this city alone.

Saban Turgut, vice chair of the DKIB's tea sector division, told Anadolu that the revenue has been encouraging, as the value increased 22% and the volume 5%, showing that Turkish tea export is growing.

“We will continue our promotional activities to raise the awareness for Turkish tea, especially in countries with high purchasing power,” he said.