According to data compiled by the Eastern Black Sea Exporters’ Association (DKİB), tea exports from Rize increased by 29% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching $10,248,886. The exported tea, grown in the humid climates and used as a beverage, was sold to 32 countries, autonomous regions, and free zones from Rize.
Tea exports from the city, recorded as $7,919,692 in 2022, increased by 29% to $10,248,886 last year
In terms of quantity, tea exports reached 3,297 tons in 2023, a 5% increase from the 3,134 tons in the previous year.
Belgium showed a 104% increase in exports Every year, Belgium, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), and the United States consistently demonstrated the highest demand for the growing tea production and export.
In January-December 2023, Rize exported 2,021 tons of tea to Belgium, generating revenue of $8,048,028.
Compared to 2022, the amount of tea exported to Belgium increased by 82% in quantity, earning 104% more in value, amounting to $3,952,923 for 1,109 tons.
Following Belgium, KKTC received tea exports worth $414,046, and the United States followed closely with $327,488.
Tea was also sold to Poland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Kingdom, Turkmenistan, Malaysia, Belarus, Czech Republic, and Switzerland in 2023.
“We want to take a larger share of world markets” Ahmet Hamdi Gürdoğan, Vice President of the DKİB Board of Directors, stated to AA reporters that 62% of Turkey’s tea exports in quantity and 40% in value were carried out by firms based in Rize last year.
Emphasizing Rize’s significant potential in tea production and export, Gürdoğan said, “We want to take a larger share of world markets. In this context, it is crucial for our companies to focus on innovative, value-added production, tailored to the consumer preferences of each country.”
Gürdoğan highlighted the importance of their UR-GE (Support for Developing International Competitiveness) project titled “Increasing the Export Capacity of Turkish Tea and Ensuring Sustainability” aimed at increasing tea production and export. He mentioned the recent delegation program to Japan to promote Turkish tea effectively and explore new production models and technologies.
Expressing their efforts to diversify tea exports to different countries, Gürdoğan concluded by stating their belief that tea production and export will reach even better levels in the coming days.
source: aa.com.tr / prepared by Melisa Beğiç