US tea imports jump by 7% in 2008
According to projected estimates by the US Tea Association, imports in the United States increased by 7% compared to 2007 due to a greater demand for green tea. US tea imports in 2008 are expected to be around 117 million kg (257 million lbs), up from 109 million kg (240 million lbs) in the previous year, with specialty tea being the fastest-growing segment of the industry. The United States is the world's seventh-biggest consumer of tea, behind China, India, the Russian Federation, Turkey, Japan and the United Kingdom.