The Bangladesh Tea Board has set a target of producing 115 million kilograms of tea annually by 2030 by expanding the cultivation of high-yielding varieties developed by the Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) and promoting the adoption of modern technologies.
To achieve this ambitious goal, authorities are focusing on bringing unused cultivable land suitable for tea production under cultivation while encouraging greater participation of small-scale tea growers.
According to the tea board, Bangladesh must move beyond conventional tea production and place greater emphasis on value-added products such as green tea, oolong tea, and white tea to strengthen its position in the international market. Efforts are also underway to introduce climate- and drought-resistant tea varieties alongside modern irrigation systems to improve productivity and resilience.
Currently, Bangladesh has 172 tea gardens covering approximately 158,741 acres of cultivated land. The authorities have identified an additional 16,130 acres of suitable land to be brought under tea cultivation.
The country achieved its highest-ever tea production of 102.92 million kilograms in 2023. Production declined to 93.04 million kilograms in 2024 before rising slightly to 94.93 million kilograms in 2025.
Tea Board Chairman Major General Md Mesbah Uddin Ahmed said a production target of 104 million kilograms has been set for the current season. He expressed confidence that the 2030 target could be surpassed if favourable weather conditions continue.
Highlighting initiatives to improve tea quality and ensure long-term sustainability, the chairman said BTRI is providing regular training to garden managers and workers to promote modern and sustainable production practices. The use of environment-friendly pesticides has also increased, while research and development activities have been strengthened.
The government is supporting the sector through five-year agricultural loans and subsidised fertiliser supplies for tea garden owners. An online licensing system has also been introduced to simplify the tea marketing process.
To reflect production costs and support growers, the minimum auction price of tea has been set at Tk 245 per kilogram for the Sylhet and Chattogram regions, while the rate for bottle-leaf factories in the northern region has been fixed at Tk 170 per kilogram.
Regarding exports and industry challenges, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed said Bangladesh currently ranks eighth globally in tea exports. However, due to strong domestic demand, more than 95 percent of locally produced tea is consumed within the country.
He said the Tea Board is prioritising tea diversification and stronger branding initiatives to expand export opportunities. Imports of value-added tea are being permitted only on a limited basis, primarily for blending purposes.
With nearly 180 years of history, Bangladesh’s tea industry supports the livelihoods of around 150,000 tea workers and their families. Industry stakeholders believe that coordinated efforts by the government and private sector can help revive the sector’s past glory and position Bangladesh as a stronger player in the global tea market.