Market report points to growth for US tea industry
A report by market research firm IBISWorld predicts that healthy eating and living trends will drive growth for the US tea industry in the years ahead. As consumers change their dietary patterns and seek healthy alternatives to soft drinks and coffee, the tea industry is expected to reach $1.1 billion in sales by 2016. The gourmet and specialty tea segments will likely be the largest beneficiaries of these trends, because they cater specifically to fragmented consumer needs. Other growth drivers will be the increasing variety of flavors, strengths and sweeteners, as well as marketing messages based on various health benefits of tea consumption.