Steeped in centuries of tradition and global influence, India has long been synonymous with tea culture. While the world often thinks first of Darjeeling’s aromatic flushes or Assam’s strong black teas, green tea export from India is carving its own niche in international markets. However, this transformation is not accidental; it is the result of a well-orchestrated journey from lush plantations through dedicated green tea suppliers to the harbour gates that connect the subcontinent with the globe.
In this blog, we unpack how India’s green tea ecosystem operates and highlight the role of suppliers and exporters in the value chain. Furthermore, we have explained why Indian green tea is becoming a sought-after commodity internationally.
The Roots: Green Tea Plantations of India
The tea story in our country begins with its plantations. Spread across regions like Darjeeling, Assam, Kangra, and Nilgiri. These estates have historically cultivated tea for domestic as well as global consumption. While black tea still accounts for the majority of India’s exports, green tea has steadily gained prominence for its flavour and health benefits.
Every region brings an exclusive character to its green teas:
Regions | Tea type |
Assam | This state offers full-bodied, robust tea leaves, perfect for classic green blends. |
Darjeeling | This region produces light, floral, high-altitude green teas renowned among connoisseurs. |
Nilgiri | Green teas are fragrant and smooth, perfect for both traditional and iced brews. |
High-altitude teas of Kangra | This tea offers delicate aromatic profiles. |
These diverse terroirs lay the foundation for the rich taste profiles that make green tea export from India in markets ranging from Europe to North America and the Middle East.
Green Tea Suppliers: The Bridge Between Markets and Fields
Once plucked, tea leaves enter the highly structured supply chain where green tea suppliers play an important role. These suppliers work as intermediaries between plantations and global buyers, handling vital activities such as:
Sourcing and Quality Control
The suppliers of green tea procure fresh leaves directly from auctions or plantations, ensuring the raw material meets strict quality criteria. To preserve the freshness and oxidative stability that green tea demands, they often oversee initial processing — withering, steaming, and drying.
Processing and Grading
Suppliers facilitate processing that adheres to both domestic standards and the regulatory requirements of importing nations. Proper grading — the classification of appearance, flavour, and leaf size — is important for market positioning and international pricing.
Packaging and Compliance
Before export, green tea must be packaged and labelled based on global food safety norms. Reputable suppliers secure certifications such as HACCP, ISO, Organic, or Fair Trade. They bolster trust among buyers and ensure smooth green tea export from India.
Connecting Buyers and Exporters
Suppliers collaborate with experienced tea exporters in India to match global demand with suitable products. However, Many suppliers are also exporters themselves
(like, Narendra Tea Company). Such key clusters are mostly found in Assam and Nilgiri, where plantations and processing facilities are concentrated.
By facilitating quality transparency, communication, and logistical coordination, suppliers serve as the backbone of export readiness for Indian green tea.
Exporters: Taking Indian Tea to the World
After green tea is prepared for foreign markets, tea exporters in India step in. These entities handle customs clearance, global logistics, finance, and distribution — all critical to successful green tea export from India.
India’s tea export ecosystem has grown significantly in recent years. In 2024, India’s total tea exports climbed to a 10-year high of around 255 million kilograms, with a notable increase in value and diversification of markets.
Leading exporters — including industry veterans and emerging players — serve an extensive global footprint:
- Exaplus International exports premium Assam, Darjeeling, and green teas worldwide.
- Tata Tea Exports and Wagh Bakri Tea Group distribute renowned Indian blends across continents.
Not only bulk shipments, but these exporters also offer private label solutions, customised packaging, and tailored blends to meet distinct buyer requirements — from speciality retailers in Europe to tea houses in North America and blending houses in the UAE.
From Plantation to Port: Logistics and Challenges
Once tea is prepared and consigned for shipment, several logistical steps follow:
- Quality Checks & Certification: Exporters ensure all phytosanitary certificates and food safety clearances are in place.
- Transport to Port: Tea is transported from inland processing centres to major ports, for example, the Nhava Sheva Terminal near Mumbai or Kolkata’s Kolkata Port Trust.
- Shipment & Documentation: Detailed documentation, including certificates of origin and customs paperwork, facilitates seamless export.
Despite strong global demand of green tea export from India, the supply chain does face challenges. Geopolitical disruptions, transport delays, and strict import standards in destination countries can complicate shipments — as seen when tea consignments were delayed at Indian ports mid-year.
Furthermore, environmental concerns and fluctuating leaf prices can impact both suppliers and growers, shaping how the chain responds to economic pressures.
Why Indian Green Tea Still Matters?
Though black tea dominates India’s export volume, green tea is increasingly valued by niche markets focused on premium quality and health benefits. Countries such as Germany, the USA, and the UAE are recognising Indian green tea for its diverse profiles and authentic taste.
India’s growing capabilities in sustainable cultivation — including organic farming and ethical sourcing — further enhance its appeal in conscious markets.
The continued success of green tea export from India depends on collaborative efforts among plantations, suppliers, exporters, government bodies like the Tea Board of India, and global buyers who appreciate traceability, consistency, and quality.
End Note: A Growing Legacy of Export Excellence
From the misty tea gardens of Darjeeling and Assam to bustling ports on the Indian coastline, the journey of green tea illustrates a dynamic, evolving industry. Here, green tea suppliers and tea exporters are the linchpins that connect tradition with global demand. They ensure that every cup poured overseas carries a story of quality, heritage, and care.
Whether you’re a buyer looking for dependable partners or a tea enthusiast eager to understand what goes on behind the scenes, one thing is clear: India’s tea supply chain is an indispensable force in the international green tea landscape. Partner with Narendra Tea Company to source consistent quality, customized solutions, and reliable global delivery for your business.
Share:
Marcel Proust’s Madeleine: Tea as a Trigger for Memory
Marcel Proust’s monumental work, “In Search of Lost Time” (À la recherche du temps perdu), features one of the most famous tea-related passages in literature—the Madeleine episode. In this scene, the narrator dips a madeleine into a cup of tea, and the taste triggers a flood of memories from his childhood.
The act of dunking the madeleine into tea becomes a powerful sensory experience that awakens long-forgotten recollections. Proust’s prose masterfully captures the profound connection between taste and memory, illustrating how something as simple as tea and a pastry can transport us back in time.
Sustainable Tea Sourcing
Sourcing Method
As consumer awareness of environmental and social issues grows, sustainability has become a vital concern in the tea industry. Sourcing green tea sustainably involves certain procedures.
- Ethical Tea Processing: Supporting suppliers who prioritize fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and fair wages for tea farmers.
- Organic Farming: Opting for organic green teas minimizes exposure to harmful pesticides and fertilizers.
- Biodiversity: Partnering with suppliers who protect and enhance local ecosystems.
- Water Conservation: Choosing suppliers with efficient irrigation systems and water management practices.
- Trackability: Ensuring the ability to track the tea’s journey from farm to cup to verify sustainability claims.
Quality Control in Green Tea Sourcing
Maintaining consistent product quality is essential for building a strong brand reputation in India. Key quality control measures include several steps.
- Sensory Evaluation: Employing skilled tea tasters to assess aroma, flavor, and appearance.
- Laboratory Testing: Conducting chemical analysis to verify purity, pesticide residues, and heavy metal levels.
- Third-Party Certifications: Getting certified by reputable organizations to ensure product quality and safety.
- Regular Supplier Audits: Conducting on-site inspections to assess production processes and compliance with quality standards.
- Traceability Systems: Implementing robust tracking systems to identify the source of any quality issues.
Sourcing Rare and Exclusive Green Teas
Sourcing rare and exclusive variant requires a combination of expertise and perseverance. Keeping in mind the following factors can help us improve the quality.
- Limited Availability: Being prepared for inconsistent supply and potential price fluctuations.
- Direct Relationships: Building strong partnerships with small-scale producers or tea gardens.
- Authenticity Verification: Thoroughly investigating the tea’s origin and production process to ensure authenticity.
- Premium Pricing: Paying premium amounts for rare and exclusive teas ensuring their quality according to the demand.
- Customer Education: Educating consumers about the unique characteristics and value of these exceptional teas.