Tea market size in China 2019-2028, by product form

In 2023, the market size of China's tea market amounted to around *** billion yuan. Tea-leaf products, which include, among others, flavored tea, tea bags, and tea powder, constituted a substantial part of the tea market, recording sales revenue of around *** billion yuan that year. Freshly made tea drinks were the fastest growing type of tea in this market, with a CAGR between 2019 and 2023 at around ** percent.

The history of tea in China

China is home to various tea varieties. The recorded history of tea cultivation in China can be traced back to the Han dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.). Southwest China, specifically Sichuan Province, was the first and one of the major tea-producing regions. The recorded history of tea cultivation in China can be traced back to the Han dynasty. Southwest China, specifically Sichuan Province, was the first and one of the major tea-producing regions. During the Tan dynasty (618–907 A.D.), tea was widely enjoyed by all social classes in China and was spread to neighboring county Japan. Later on, Chinese tea and tea drinking culture was brought to nearby countries in the west, as well as to countries further away along the Silk Road.

Tea culture in China

For millennia, Chinese culture has embraced tea drinking as an integral part of everyday life. In China, tea is not only regarded as a thirst quencher but also serves medical and ritual purposes. Traditionally, the Chinese often hold tea ceremonies to celebrate special occasions or to honor guests.