Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1461678
STiR coffee and tea 33 The tea association report authors write those gains came despite declines in out-of-home consumption, "triggered by the pandemic-induced closure of hotels, restaurants, and canteens, were offset by increased demand in food stores, chemists, and specialist shops." "The pandemic year did not leave the tea industry unscathed; it held its ground strongly," according to the report. "Demand from the key distribution channels such as discounters, grocery stores, and drugstores increased noticeably, even though tea is not a typical hoarding item. In contrast, demand from the hotel and catering sectors almost came to a standstill." Sales of organic herbal and organic fruit infusions increased to 9% of total tea sales. Organic black and organic green teas ac- count for 4% of Germany's total tea sales. The tea association's managing director Maximilian Wittig told the Hamburg News that organic certified black teas account for a 12.9% market share. Organic herbal teas increased their market share to 13.5%, a 2.5% gain compared to 2019. According to Wittig, green tea exports increased by 1.5% compared to 2019. Hamburg is a global hub for the tea trade, importing 41 million kilos and shipping 22 million kilos of teas to 108 countries. An estimated 65% of exported tea was shipped to countries in the European Union, with France the top export market for the third year running. Exports totaled 3,891 metric tons, up 3% compared to 2019. Germany consumed 41,081 metric tons of herbal and fruit infusions (67.8% by volume) and 19,523 metric tons of black and green tea (32.2%), up a combined 1,400 metric tons com- pared to 2019. India is Germany's most important tea trading partner, sending more than 7 million kilos in 2021, China and Sri Lanka follow. Black tea is favored by 73% of Germans, with 90% of bo- tanicals steeped in tea bags but only 40% of Camellia sinensis in tea bags. Germans buy 57% of their tea in grocery and depart- ment stores and 12.4% at tea shops, with the most significant increase in channel purchases online at 8.2%. Traditional winter holidays treat a stack of cinnamon stars cookies served with tea in a German zimtsterne mug. Adobe iStock No surprise! In the case of black teas, India once again ranks No. 1 on the German market with an import share of 29% Green tea Black tea Big in green tea! With 6,128.5 tonnes, China is the biggest green tea supplier (63%) to the German market. Africa loses and wins! Around 500 tonnes less tea from African countries were exported to Germany, nevertheless the total import share rose by roughly 1.2% Indonesia supplies almost 10% of our green teas. Import winner! Sri Lanka had an import share of 19.67% (plus 4.17%) in 2020 and is now the second-largest supplier to the German market. Exports from Germany Germany Tea Export 21.817,80 tonnes to 108 countries Tea Import 40.984,60 tonnes to 71 countries

