Portugal Tea Market Overview

Portugal tea brands presents a unique tea consumption profile within Europe. The country consumes approximately 4,000 tons of tea annually, with a remarkably low per capita consumption of 0.064 kg per year (0.14 pounds), ranking 49th globally. This makes Portugal one of the lowest tea-consuming countries in Europe, consuming only 4 cups of tea per person annually.

Dominant Tea Brands in Portugal

Market Leaders:

• Lipton – Controls approximately 40% of the Portuguese market, making it the dominant brand

• Tetley – Second major international brand

• Continente – Portuguese private label brand

• Twinings – Premium international brand

• Pingo Doce – Local retailer brand

Portuguese Tea Consumption Characteristics

Portugal’s tea market is distinctive because herbal teas represent 60% of total consumption, while black and green teas account for only 40%. This is opposite to most European countries where traditional teas dominate.

Most Popular Herbal Varieties in Portugal:

• Chamomile (Camomila) – Most consumed herbal infusion

• Lemon balm (Erva-cidreira) – Traditional Portuguese favorite

• Lemon verbena – Popular calming herb

• Peppermint and common mint – Widely consumed

• Lemon thyme – Traditional Portuguese herb

Portuguese Tea Market Statistics

Market Growth Rate	3.55% CAGR (2025-2030)
Per Capita Spending	€4.39 annually
Volume Consumption	2.43 million kg annually
Gender Split	Women consume 39% more than men

EU Tea Market Comparison

The European tea market is valued at 4.25 billion € in 2023, projected to reach 5.92 billion € by 2031, growing at 5.18% annually. The herbal tea segment specifically is worth 1.14 billion € in 2024 and expected to reach 1.48 billion € by 2033.

Leading Tea Brands Across EU

Major International Brands:

• Unilever (Lipton, PG Tips) – Market leader across Europe

• Tata Consumer Products (Tetley) – Strong European presence

• Associated British Foods (Twinings) – Premium segment leader

• Nestlé – Significant market share

• Barry’s Tea – Popular in Ireland and UK

EU Country-Specific Market Leaders

United Kingdom (Highest EU consumption at 11.65€ per capita):

• Twinings

• PG Tips

• Tetley

• Lipton

• Ahmad Tea

Germany (Major herbal tea market):

• Teekanne

• Meßmer

• Twinings

• Lipton

Most Popular Herbal Varieties Across EU

Top Herbal Tea Varieties by Market Share:

1. Chamomile – Leading herbal variety across all EU countries
2. Peppermint – Second most popular, especially in Germany, UK, France
3. Ginger – Growing rapidly, valued at €150M in France, €130M in Italy, €120M in Spain
4. Lemon balm – Popular in Central and Eastern Europe
5. Hibiscus – Growing in popularity for wellness benefits
6. Lemongrass – Increasing market share

EU vs Portugal Comparison Table

The data reveals Portugal as a unique but challenging market with strong herbal tea preference, while the broader EU market offers significant growth opportunities for brands focusing on organic, functional herbal teas with proven varieties like chamomile and peppermint.