For millennia, tea has been consumed in Asia on a regular basis. World-famous green teas include Pu’er, Darjeeling, and Japanese green tea. As a result, tea has become a huge business in the region. According to Statista, tea sales in Asia will exceed US$150 billion in 2021, with an annual growth rate of approximately 7% expected through 2025. Tea has become famous in other parts of the world thanks to the unique flavors from Asia, but the region is also a supplier of tea and has a growing demand.
Selling Tea in Asia
Breaking into the Asian market may appear illogical at first glance, considering the abundance of strong local brands and options. However, Asia’s high need for tea, combined with a growing desire for variety, makes it an ideal market for global tea companies. Many Scandinavian brands, for example, which aren’t known for their teas, are incorporating fruits and other flavors native to these northern European countries and finding a receptive audience in Asia. Teas from the United States, Australia, and other nations that are ready to drink are very popular.
Anyone familiar with Asian milk tea culture, which was popularized by Taiwan, would know that experimenting with different tastes (brown sugar, pomelo, etc.) and textures (tapioca pearls, coconut bits, pudding, etc.) in basic teas has been going on for years in the region and is extremely popular.
What are the prospects for international tea brands in Asia?
Demand for tea in ready-to-drink forms is also increasing as a result of urbanization and the fast-paced lifestyles that come with it, providing a tasty, easy-drinking experience to tea lovers on the go. Asia is generally regarded as being highly traditional outside of the region. Although this is true in many ways, tastes, society, and customers’ willingness to try new things are all changing at a rapid pace.
If your tea company isn’t already in Asia, you should start planning your expansion now. There are Asian consumers waiting to enjoy their teas, regardless of flavor, branding, or texture.
