DMCC Projects Global Tea Market To Reach Nearly $300 Billion By 2025 End

The global tea market is expected to grow from $282 billion to nearly $300 billion by the end of 2025. This growth is driven by climate-smart production, traceable supply chains, and a rise in higher-margin categories like premium, organic, functional, and ready-to-drink teas. The DMCC, a key player in global trade through Dubai, shared this forecast at the ninth Global Dubai Tea Forum (GDTF).

The GDTF serves as an influential platform for government leaders and industry stakeholders across the tea value chain. Themed "Tea at the Crossroads: Trade, Tariffs and Technology in an Age of Realignment," this year's forum attracted hundreds of participants to discuss future challenges and opportunities in the tea sector.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, stated: "Global tea consumption is nearing USD 300 billion annually, driven by premium, organic and ready to drink formats, and the UAE sits at the centre of this shift. Since we launched the DMCC Tea Centre 20 years ago, Dubai has moved from logistics gateway to global hub for value creation. The real margin sits in value add, including blending, branding and verifiable provenance, so traceability and climate resilience are now commercial necessities.

"This year's Global Dubai Tea Forum set a clear direction for the industry: build a tea economy that is climate smart, digitally traceable and commercially investable. We will continue convening the industry and scaling the platforms that turn those principles into competitive advantage."

Tea Industry's Evolution

The DMCC's latest report outlines a strategy to create a more resilient and innovative tea economy. It highlights how modern hubs like Dubai are reshaping global trade. Traditionally seen as a logistics gateway, the UAE now handles over half of the world's tea re-exports. It offers advanced services such as blending, packaging, flavour profiling, storage solutions, tax efficiency, and financial services through platforms like the DMCC Tea Centre.

Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Entrepreneurship and the Economic Affairs Regulatory Sector, UAE Ministry of Economy, remarked: "Dubai's position as one of the world's major tea re-export hubs reflects the UAE's wider success in building a trade ecosystem defined by certainty, innovation and openness. Tea has been a driver of global commerce for centuries, and today it continues to connect producers and consumers through modern, technology-enabled value chains. By combining advanced infrastructure with efficient trade policy, the UAE has transformed tea from a traditional commodity into a catalyst for sustainable growth. This is what the UAE, Dubai and the DMCC Tea Centre offers."

Discussions at GDTF focused on how climate volatility affects demand patterns and supply routes. Inflation and changing consumer behaviours among Generation Z were also examined. Delegates discussed direct-to-consumer models' rise and tariffs' impact on margins. They emphasised equitable sustainability frameworks that protect profits while safeguarding livelihoods.

DMCC's Role in Global Trade

The DMCC Tea Centre plays a crucial role within Dubai's trade ecosystem by providing integrated facilities for storage, tasting, blending, packaging, and re-exporting teas. In 2024 alone it handled over 24 thousand metric tonnes of tea connecting producers with growing markets across regions like Europe Asia Middle East.

Participants called for increased investment in climate-resilient farming practices alongside expanded access to inclusive finance options for growers during discussions at GDTF based on DMCC research findings regarding climate risk reshaping origin markets such as Kenya.