TRABZON, Türkiye

Türkiye exported tea to 112 countries, including autonomous and free regions, generated $22.2 million in revenue in the first nine months of the year, according to the Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association.

Turkish tea export revenues surged from $17.9 million in the same period last year, the data showed.

Some 4,057 tons of tea were exported, up 12%, while Belgium, the UK, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were the top three Turkish tea buyers in January-September, purchasing tea worth $7.8 million, $3.6 million, and $1.9 million, respectively.

The northeastern Rize province accounted for 48% of Türkiye’s tea exports, reaching 2,670 tons and generating $10.7 million. Rize exported to 25 countries in the first nine months of the year, primarily to Belgium, the data showed.

Saban Turgut, the vice chair of the association and head of its tea sector committee, told Anadolu that Turkish tea exports performed tremendously in Europe from January to September.

“Turkish tea exports rise every day with the increased interest, branding, and perceived quality,” he said. “The last quarter of the year is usually busy with exports — if we can maintain this momentum, Turkish tea exports could exceed $28 million (in revenue) by the end of the year.”

“We want Turkish tea to gain a stronger foothold in markets beyond Europe, such as in the Middle East, the US, and the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.