India has been growing and shipping tea for close to two centuries, and the numbers are still climbing. In 2025, the country sent about 280 million kg of tea abroad, its highest figure ever. For anyone planning tea export from India, that kind of demand is hard to ignore.

But a growing market doesn’t mean easy money. A buyer in Iraq wants strong CTC for daily brewing, while a buyer in Germany will pay far more for a fine Darjeeling first flush. Knowing which tea goes where is half the business.

This guide covers the main varieties, the countries that buy the most, and what prices look like right now. Once your product is clear, the next step is learning How to Find Buyers for Export, but first let’s look at what India actually sells.

Why the World Buys Indian Tea

India is the world’s second-largest tea producer after China, and it grows almost every type a buyer could ask for. That range is the biggest strength of Indian tea export, because one supplier can serve very different markets.

Price is the other reason. A mid-grade Assam CTC competes well with Kenyan tea on cost while giving a richer color in the cup.

Top Varieties for Tea Export from India

Not every tea sells the same way. Some move in bulk at modest prices, while others sell in small lots at premium rates.

Assam Tea

Assam is the backbone of the trade. Its malty, strong CTC is what most buyers in West Asia and Russia drink every day. Assam tea export also includes orthodox grades, which sell well in Europe.

Darjeeling Tea

Darjeeling carries a GI tag, and while volumes are small, prices are the highest in India. First flush lots are often booked by buyers in Germany and Japan before the season starts.

Nilgiri Tea

Grown in Tamil Nadu, Nilgiri tea is bright and fragrant, and it stays clear when iced. That makes it popular with American buyers and with blenders who need a clean, light base.

Green Tea and Specialty Blends

Green tea, masala chai blends and herbal infusions are smaller categories, but they are growing quickly in online retail. If you want to export tea from India under your own brand, this is often the easiest place to start, because packaging and story matter as much as the leaf.

Top Tea Production State in India

Assam is the top tea production state in India and grows roughly half of the country’s tea. West Bengal comes next, covering both Darjeeling and the Dooars-Terai belt, followed by Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in the south.

This matters for sourcing. Most bulk CTC is bought through the Guwahati and Kolkata auction centers, while South Indian tea is traded at Coonoor, Coimbatore and Kochi. If you also bring in packaging material or blend ingredients from abroad, knowing how to Check Import Document Progress keeps those inputs from delaying your export schedule.

Top Buyers of Indian Tea

If you are planning tea export from India, it helps to know which markets take the most volume. Based on Tea Board data for 2025, these are the key buyers:

  • Iraq is the single biggest buyer, taking over 52 million kg in 2025, mostly strong black tea.
  • The UAE works as a major re-export hub, and a large share of tea meant for Iran passes through Dubai.
  • Iran bought about 11 million kg directly, on top of what came in through the UAE.
  • Russia remains a steady buyer of Assam CTC and blended black tea.
  • China jumped to around 16 million kg in 2025, up from about 6 million kg a year earlier.
  • The USA took about 15 million kg, with demand for Darjeeling, Nilgiri and packaged tea.
  • The UK and Germany buy smaller volumes but pay premium prices for Darjeeling and orthodox grades.

A practical tip: new exporters often chase the US or Europe first because prices look attractive. In reality, West Asian buyers place larger repeat orders and are more flexible on grades, which makes them a better base in your first year.

Whichever market you pick, your buyer will be dealing with customs at their end too. Most delays come from mismatched papers, so keep your invoice and packing list consistent from day one. 

How to Export Tea from India

The tea trade is regulated by the Tea Board of India, so tea export from India involves a few more steps than most farm products. Here is the basic setup:

  • Get an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT.
  • Register as an exporter with the Tea Board of India.
  • Take an RCMC, which the Tea Board issues for tea exporters.
  • Get FSSAI registration for food safety compliance.
  • Arrange lab testing for pesticide residue limits set by your buyer’s country.
  • Prepare a phytosanitary certificate and a certificate of origin for each shipment.
  • Use HS Code 0902 when you file your shipping bill.

Here’s a simple example. Say you want to ship 10 tonnes of Assam CTC to Dubai. You would buy at the Guwahati auction, get the lot tested, pack it in 50 kg paper sacks or foil-lined bags, and ship it from Kolkata. Assam tea export through Kolkata is common because the port sits close to the gardens.

Start with the IEC, because nothing else moves without it. Before you sign any contract, run an IEC Code Verification on your own code to confirm it matches your GST and bank records. A small mismatch can hold up your cargo.

Tea Export Prices: What to Expect

Prices move with the season and grade, so treat these as rough ranges. Tea Board data shows the average unit price for Indian tea export was close to ₹295 per kg in the first eight months of 2025, up from about ₹261 a year earlier.

In general, Assam and Dooars CTC sits at the lower end; orthodox grades sell higher, and Darjeeling can fetch several times the average, especially for first flush lots. Packaged teas earn better margins still.

When you quote, think beyond the leaf. Freight, packing, testing and payment terms all change the final number. Many exporters quote FOB to large importers and CIF to smaller buyers who prefer a landed price.

Currency matters too. Most contracts are in US dollars, but your shipping bill and export incentives are worked out in rupees. Checking the Customs Exchange Rate notified by CBIC before you lock a quote helps you avoid surprises later.

Conclusion

Tea export from India is a strong opportunity right now, with record volumes, firmer prices and new demand from markets like China. The exporters who do well match the right tea to the right buyer and keep their paperwork clean and price with every cost in mind. Start with one variety and one market, get a few shipments right, and grow from there.

FAQs

Q1. Is tea export from India a profitable business?
It can be, if you choose the right grade and market. Margins are usually better on orthodox, Darjeeling and packaged tea than on bulk CTC.

Q2. Which is the top tea production state in India?
Assam leads by a wide margin, producing roughly half of the country’s tea. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala follow.

Q3. What licences do I need to export tea from India?
You need an IEC, exporter registration and RCMC from the Tea Board, FSSAI registration, and quality test reports for each shipment.

Q4. Which countries are the biggest markets for Assam tea export?
Iraq, the UAE, Iran and Russia are the main buyers, especially for strong CTC grades. Europe takes more of the orthodox Assam grades.

Q5. What is the HS code used for Indian tea export?
Tea falls under HS Code 0902. Green tea falls under 0902.10 and 0902.20, and black tea under 0902.30 and 0902.40.