As global palates become more sophisticated, the Tea market is experiencing a significant shift towards innovative flavoured Teas and health-focused infusions. This evolution is being driven by the desire for beverages that harmonise tradition with modern tastes, offering both the comforting familiarity of Tea and exciting new flavour profiles. Consumers are increasingly seeking diverse and flavourful options, with a particular interest in Tea infusions that blend traditional Tea leaves with botanicals, fruits, and spices. These creations deliver complex, aromatic experiences that cater to contemporary preferences for natural, low-sugar alternatives, making it a versatile and appealing choice for any occasion.
Insight Survey’s latest South African Tea Industry Landscape Report 2025, carefully uncovers the global and local Tea market, based on the latest intelligence and research. It describes the latest global and local market trends, innovation and technology, drivers, and challenges, to present an objective insight into the South African Tea market environment and its future.
Globally, the Tea market was estimated to be worth approximately US$294.5 billion in 2025. Furthermore, as per the graph below, the market is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%, to reach a value of approximately US$367.0 billion by 2029.
Source: Statista Graphics by Insight Survey
Locally, the South African Tea market experienced positive growth between 2019 and 2024, in terms of off-trade retail value, at current prices, achieving a significant increase of 12.5% year-on-year. This growth is expected to continue, with the market forecast to expand at a CAGR of 7.5% between 2025 and 2029.
Globally, brands are responding to evolving consumer preferences by launching bold, flavour-led products that merge tradition with modern wellness and lifestyle demands. In particular, flavoured Black Teas are gaining traction worldwide, offering layered sensory profiles that appeal to both traditionalists and adventurous Tea drinkers. As an example, in the United States, Trader Joe’s new Cocoa Berry Black Tea Blend combines black Tea with rooibos, cocoa shells, and cranberry seeds to create a chocolatey, fruit-forward indulgence. Meanwhile, Rishi Tea’s Rose Black and 4Leaftea’s Golden Lychee Black Tea highlight how floral and tropical notes can elevate classic black Tea into a premium experience. Other global launches include Thailand-based Tea company Monsoon Tea’s pomegranate-infused blend, as well as NesilCoffee’s Karak Tea with cardamom, both tapping into cultural heritage while delivering bold, comforting flavours.
In line with these shifting global tastes, Tea infusions have also emerged as a dominant innovation avenue, particularly those infused with botanicals, fruits, and adaptogens. UK-based brands such as Pukka Herbs and Clipper Teas have expanded their infusion ranges, offering clean-label products with distinct benefits from calming chamomile and peach to invigorating lemon, turmeric, and ginger. Similarly, brands like Kaytea’s Hydro Infusions, which featured Peach & Green Tea blends that merge Tea with electrolytes to support hydration, illustrate the rising demand for multifunctional beverages.
Locally, South Africa’s Tea market is also echoing these innovation trends as releases of new Tea flavours and infusions gain momentum. For example, Dilmah South Africa launched its innovative ‘Exquisitely Flavoured’ Tea Collection, introducing a premium range of fruit- and spice-infused Teas designed to meet the evolving tastes of modern consumers.
Furthermore, Tiny Lotus Tea, a brand specialising in health and wellness Teas, has launched a new line of caffeine-free blends. A notable offering is Garden of Teaden, a soothing combination of Rooibos, apple, and cinnamon flavour infusions, specifically crafted to promote relaxation and comfort.
Similarly, red espresso® unveiled a new Matcha range, including an Instant Matcha Latte Tin and a reduced-sugar option, offered in original and vanilla-flavoured Matcha Capsules. Additionally, Tetley expanded its offerings with a new Instant Chai Latte range, available in both vanilla and original flavours, further catering to consumer demand for accessible and diverse beverage choices.
Complementing these new flavour developments, the Lize Mouton Collection (LMC) has introduced a refined selection of loose-leaf rooibos Tea blends, showcasing innovative flavour profiles rooted in wellness and botanical elegance. The new range includes four artisanal infusions, namely Pure Organic Rooibos, Rooibos & Honeybush, Rose & Vanilla, and Chamomile & Lavender.
Interestingly, local restaurants are also tapping into this trend. Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel in Cape Town, has unveiled a revitalised Afternoon Tea experience featuring 14 new artisanal Tea blends curated by Craig Cupido, South Africa’s first certified Tea sommelier. This included a distinctive purple Kenyan Tea, mesquite Tea from South America, butterfly pea flower infusion, and 125-year anniversary blend. Moreover, local South African offerings such as honeybush and rooibos Teas are also prominently featured. These exquisite Teas are thoughtfully paired with a variety of new menu items, encompassing an assortment of cakes, pastries, tarts, and loaves.
The South African Tea Industry Landscape Report 2025 (132 pages) provides a dynamic synthesis of industry research, examining the local and global Tea industry from a uniquely holistic perspective, with detailed insights into the entire value chain – market sizes and forecasts, industry trends, latest innovation and technology, key drivers and challenges, as well as manufacturer, distributor, retailer, and pricing analysis.
Some key questions the report will help you to answer:
For more information, please email info@insightsurvey.co.za, call our Cape Town office on (021) 045-0202, or Johannesburg office on (010) 140- 5756.
To view the brochure: South African Tea Industry Landscape Brochure 2025
About Insight Survey:
Insight Survey is a South African B2B market research company with more than 15 years of heritage, focusing on business-to-business (B2B) market research to ensure smarter, more-profitable business decisions are made with reduced investment risk.
We offer B2B market and industry research solutions to help you to successfully improve or expand your business, enter new markets, launch new products or better understand your internal or external environment.
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For more information, go to www.insightsurvey.co.za.
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