The tea market - Spain

Tea is much more than just a drink: it's a global institution. After water, it is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Every year, more than 182 billion cups of tea are drunk, that's almost 6,000 cups every second. This massive consumption bears witness to the cultural, economic and social importance of this age-old beverage. on a global scale, tea occupies a central place in many cultures, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon world, where it is often linked to social rituals (such as "tea time" in the UK). The five main tea exporting countries are China, Kenya, Sri Lanka,India and the United Arab Emirates. As for consumption, the biggest consumers are in Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt and Germany. In Spain, coffee remains the dominant hot beverage. However, the tea and infusions market has seen steady growth, particularly between 2019 and 2023, when sales in the sector rose steadily. This development can be explained by increased demand for healthier alternatives, but also by a diversification of the offer available on the Spanish market. A major transformation in the Spanish tea market is currently being driven by Coca-Cola Iberia, which has decided to double its investment in the ready-to-drink (RTD) cold tea segment in 2024. Building on its Fuze Tea brand, launched in Spain in 2023, Coca-Cola aims to establish itself as market leader. This strategic positioning, supported by massive distribution and a multi-channel marketing campaign, is in line with a fundamental trend: the search for natural, healthy, low-sugar beverages, particularly among young adults.