Bangladesh

Increased domestic consumption in Bangladesh has seen its tea exports plummet. Analysts believe the country may soon become a net importer of tea within 4-5 years as Bangladeshis drink more tea.

Currently, the country produces around 56 million kg, of which 50 million kg is consumed domestically. Actual tea production has not increased over the last 10 years, typically hovering between 53 million kg and 56 million kg annually. The exceptional years were 2005 (60 million kg) and 2008 (58 million kg). Tea production this year is projected to be 56 million kg.

As Bangladesh used to export up to 90% of its tea crop from 1985 to 1990, this is a significant shift for the tea industry. It currently exports around 5-6 million kg of tea, primarily to Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Bangladesh farmers average crop size of between 1,200 to 1,250 kg/ha are significantly lower than those if its former competitors Kenya, Sri Lanka and India, which procduce between 3,000 to 3,500 kg/ha.