India Leads Global Herbal and Tea Production with 1.89 Million Tonnes

Total

Abstract

According to the world herbal and tea production data for 2022, India is the largest producer with 1.89 Mt. The results indicate that India holds an important position in the production of herbs and tea. India, in particular, has been increasing production over the years thanks to its rich soil, favorable climatic conditions and a stable supply of labour. This not only enables us to meet domestic and international demand, but also plays an important role in the export market. Over the past few decades, the demand for herbs and teas has grown due to an increased focus on health and the popularity of organic products. In addition, technological innovation and improvements in agricultural techniques are increasing production efficiency and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Given this backdrop, major producing countries, including India, are expected to continue to maintain their important position in the market.

Herb production (worldwide)

If we look at the world herbal production from 1961 to 2022, we can see that India has shown remarkable growth. Notably, the country is set to achieve a record production volume of 1.89 million tonnes (Mt) in 2022, making it the world’s largest producer. This figure signifies that the Indian herbal industry is at 100% capacity compared to its peak and has witnessed steady growth. During the 1960s and 1970s, herb production remained relatively stable, but technological advances and changes in agricultural policy since the 1980s have contributed to a rapid increase in production. In India in particular, favorable climatic conditions for growing herbs, as well as government support policies and improved agricultural techniques, have helped increase production. Globally, herb production varies by region, but India’s growth has been particularly notable and is large compared to other major producing countries. This has established India as a significant supplier of herbs in the international market. Overall, trends in herbal production are influenced by technological advancements and changing market demands, with some countries like India experiencing growth while other regions are witnessing fluctuations in production. Herb production volumes are expected to fluctuate in the future due to international demand and advances in production technology.

Herb production (worldwide)
agri

The maximum is 1.66Mt[2018] of Netherlands, and the current value is about 81.3%

Herb production volume (latest year, worldwide)

According to 2022 data, global production of agricultural herbs reached a total of 2.75 million tonnes (Mt), of which India produced the highest amount at 1.89 million tonnes (Mt). This figure indicates that India holds a dominant share in the global herbal market. India’s production accounts for approximately 69% of the total, and it is clear that production is currently at its peak. Historically, herb production has been steadily increasing since the 1960s. Advances in agricultural technology and expanding markets have facilitated increased production, especially since the 1990s. India’s growth is supported by favorable climatic conditions, vast agricultural land and supportive government policies. While India continues to expand its production capacity, it is also striving to improve quality, thereby making it more competitive in the international market. The overall average production volume was 80.9 thousand tonnes (kt), indicating that many countries have relatively small production volumes. This has resulted in the herbal market being relatively fragmented, with large-scale producing countries like India dominating the market to a large extent. In the future, climate change and fluctuations in market demand may affect production volumes, so countries will need to continue to explore sustainable agricultural practices and market strategies.

Herb production volume (latest year, worldwide)
agri

The maximum is 1.35Mt of Netherlands, the average is 62.5kt, and the total is 11.4Mt

Tea production (worldwide)

Based on 1990 data, the total world tea production was around 701 thousand tonnes (kt), with India dominating as the largest producer. That year, India’s production was 701kt, a figure that stands out compared to other countries. This indicates that the Indian tea industry has established a strong position in the global market due to its vast tea plantations, suitable climatic conditions and traditional cultivation techniques. Historically, tea production has been concentrated primarily in Asia, with India, Sri Lanka and China being major producers. From the 1960s to the 1980s, technological innovations and agricultural policies led to increased production, and in 1990 India became the largest producer. During this period, the Indian tea industry was expanding its production capacity and becoming more competitive in the market while also focusing on improving quality. Furthermore, since 1990, production volumes and market shares have fluctuated due to changes in international demand and the effects of climate change. Nevertheless, the Indian tea industry continues to play a vital role through sustainable farming practices and quality control. Going forward, production strategies will need to be adapted to meet international demand and changes in the environment.

Tea production (worldwide)
agri

The maximum is 1.72Mt[2011] of Germany, and the current value is about 89.4%

Tea production (latest year, world wide)

As per 1990 data, the world tea production totalled around 2.4 million tonnes (Mt), with India being the largest producer with 688 thousand tonnes (kt). This indicates that India holds a dominant share in the global tea market and is a major producer. The average production volume for the year was 53.2 thousand tonnes (kt), indicating that many countries have relatively small-scale production. Tea production is concentrated in Asia, with India, China and Sri Lanka being the major producing countries. From the 1960s to the 1990s, production increased steadily thanks to technological innovations and developments in agricultural techniques. India’s growing production is supported by favorable climatic conditions, abundant labour and effective agricultural policies. During this period, India also focused on improving quality and production efficiency in order to become more competitive in the international market. Overall, the 1990 data points to India’s strong production potential and its dominance in the Asian region. Fluctuations in international demand and climate change may continue to affect production, requiring producing countries to adapt to sustainable agricultural practices and market changes.

Tea production (latest year, world wide)
agri

The maximum is 1.63Mt of United States, the average is 66.5kt, and the total is 12Mt

Main data

Reference

Hannah Ritchie, Pablo Rosado and Max Roser (2023) – Agricultural Production. Published online at OurWorldInData.org.

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