Exporting certified tea to Europe

The share of sustainable certified tea on the world market is increasing rapidly. In 2012, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) reported that 12% of globally produced tea was certified. In 2015, experts estimated this share at roughly 17%, predicting that it would grow even further. Mainstream international standards (especially Rainforest Alliance and, to a lesser extent, UTZ Certified), are dominant and generally demanded by the mass-market segment. Organic and Fairtrade certifications are found primarily in niche and out-of-home markets. Certification will soon become a prerequisite for entering the EU market.