US tea market quadruples in 20 years as imports soar by 70%
The US tea market has more than quadrupled in the last twenty years and now represents more than $10 billion in sales, according to the US Tea Association. Imports, from countries like China and India, have also skyrocketed, growing nearly 70 percent over the past 20 years and more than 700% over the last 50 years. Figures from Euromonitor show an almost 20% increase in daily consumption since 2000, with more than half of the US population now enjoying tea on a daily basis, mostly in the form of iced tea. While black and herbal teas remain the most popular, the green tea category grew immensely in early 2000's and now represents 6% of domestic consumption. Currently, white, oolong and artisanal teas are on the fastest growth path.