Turkish tea exportsare surging as East African prices dip. Exports increased 52% by volume and 30%in value through September, a surprising success in the highly competitiveblack tea segment.
The Eastern BlackSea Exporters Association (DKIB) cited a combination of circumstances leadingto sales of $10.8 million from exports to 103 countries. Exports totaled 3,088metric tons during the first nine months of the year compared to 2,035 metrictons during the same period in 2018.
While most sales wereto neighboring nations, United States wholesalers bought $353,184 of tea fromstate-owned Çaykur so far this year, comparable to the$364,895 purchased by North Cyprus.
Belgium ($4.5million) and Germany ($1.5 million) are the most important trade partners inEurope,
Çaykur is aggressively marketing a diversityof teas, ŞabanTurgut, deputy chairman of DKİB and chairman of the Tea Sector Committee toldthe Daily Sabah.
"Ourtea exports will reach higher figures with the participation of our privatesector brands in the world's leading food fairs," Turgut said, pointing tothe importance of developing products suitable for overseas markets. A searchof Amazon shows you can purchase several Çaykur varietiesincluding Altinbas Cayi (Black Tea) and Çaykur Rize (a tea growing region).Prices range from $17-$21 for 500 grams of loose leaf in pouches and 125 gramtins for $25.
Turkey, a country of78 million, is one of the world’s most successful tea markets combining importsand locally grown tea to quench the thirst of millions daily.
Tea is grown onapproximately 200,000 acres (830,000 decares) along the eastern Black Sea.Turkey is the fifth largest tea producer in the world consuming 260,000 metrictons per year.
Most teas are traditional loose leaf, made inlarge quantities in large government-owned factories. Tea sells for 17-cents percup at tea shops and restaurants. Spending the equivalent of $1 is consideringsplurging, although tea in the finest restaurants is priced at $4.25 per cup.Blends are finding favor as well as specialty and premium grades. Residentspurchase an average 3.5 kilograms annually, the highest per capita total in theworld. Turkish tea yields up to 300 glasses per kilogram, equivalent to 1,050cups per year, about three per day.
At the grocery store a kilogram oftea sells for between $3.50 and $7.
Turgut, who mentioned the competitiveness ofthe global market, said local companies interested in exporting tea, “should cooperate withuniversities, benefit from grant funds of the Ministry of Industry andTechnology and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey(TÜBİTAK) and establish research and development units.”
Source: Daily Sabah, Amazon, World Tea News, Hurriyet Daily News