Turkey’s tea exports reached $25,021,548 in the first nine months of 2026, with sales to 119 countries, autonomous regions and free zones, according to figures compiled from the Eastern Black Sea Exporters’ Association (DKIB).
A total of 3,360 tonnes was shipped between January and September. The UK, Belgium and the US were the biggest buyers.
TRT radio reports sales to the UK came to $6,366,050, to Belgium $5,989,977 and to the US $1,804,526.
Rize province exported 1,820 tonnes of tea to 25 countries over the period, with Belgium the top destination. Rize accounts for 37 per cent of Turkey’s tea exports by value, earning $9,205,793.
Mustafa Okutan, a DKIB board member and chairman of its tea sector committee, said the nine months had been positive for the industry.
He said the distinctive qualities of Turkish tea, its quality production and its strong image linked with Rize were raising interest in international markets.
Okutan said the large number of export destinations showed Turkish tea was becoming better known in different regions.
“As well as increasing our share in existing markets, we aim to reach markets where we are not yet sufficiently present,” he said.
He said he expected exports to gather pace in the final months of the year. “Our goal is to exceed last year’s figures in both volume and export revenue by the end of the year,” he said.
Okutan added that it was not enough to increase exports to existing markets and that new ones had to be found, promoting the quality, natural character and distinctive production of Turkish tea. Increasing the number of export countries was among the sector’s priorities, he said.