Pakistan is famed for its love of tea, and tea shops, also known as chai dhabas, are frequently seen on streets and by the sides of roads. Even with the COVID-19 outbreak, Pakistanis still rely heavily on tea as a beverage. However, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reports that the country’s tea imports fell by 46% in February 2023, from $49.19 million to $28.19 million.
Kenya continues to be Pakistan’s top tea exporter, sending $22.3 million worth of tea there in February after sending $42.8 million in January. In 2020, Pakistan purchased over 170,830 metric tonnes of tea, with Kenya, Sri Lanka, and India serving as its main suppliers.
The demand for tea is anticipated to continue strong in Pakistan over the next few years, despite the drop in imports, which may be cause for concern. Pakistanis still rely heavily on tea as a daily beverage and as a fundamental component of their culture and traditions.
Despite a fall in tea imports, Pakistanis’ passion for tea endures. The demand for tea in Pakistan is predicted to increase in the next years, and tea will continue to be a key beverage.