China’s Tea Dominance Masks a Global Branding Challenge
China’s tea reigns globally, yet its brands struggle to make an impact abroad. In 2025, the country produced nearly half of the world’s tea, exporting 418,800 metric tons worth over RMB 11 billion (USD 1.6 billion). Yet this output barely rivals the revenue of a single global brand like Lipton, which once generated USD 3 billion annually. The disparity isn’t about quantity—it’s about branding. Chinese tea exports fetch USD 4–5 per kilogram, while Sri Lankan black tea and Japanese matcha command USD 6–8 and USD 25–30 respectively. This gap reflects a deeper issue: China’s tea industry is still rooted in…