Best 12 Profitable Tea Business Ideas in 2023

Do you want to start a tea business? Do you want to know the best possible options for starting a profitable tea business? The object of crafting this article is to provide a list of the most profitable tea business ideas for young entrepreneurs along with a start-up guide on the steps to follow to start a tea business.

Tea is an important beverage in India. Simply, we consume tea as a refreshing energy booster. Additionally, the tea comes with several health benefits too. The antioxidants help to eliminate toxins and free radicals from the blood.

According to the tea production process, there are two different types of tea. These are CTC and Orthodox. However, according to the taste and flavor, there are several types of tea available in the Indian market.

These are black tea, green tea, white tea, fermented tea, oolong tea, aroma tea, etc. Also, there are some different varieties of tea according to the origin. These are Darjeeling tea, Assam tea, Dooars & Terai tea, Kangra tea, Nilgiri tea, Annamalai Tea, Wayanad Tea, Karnataka tea, and Munnar tea.

List of 12 Tea Business Ideas

#1. Retail Tea Shop

This traditional model involves setting up a physical tea shop where customers can come in to purchase a variety of teas, tea accessories, and tea-based beverages. The shop may also provide a cozy ambiance for customers to enjoy their teas on-site.

#2. Online Tea Business

Online tea selling is a low-cost tea business you can start from home also. The business is simply setting up an eCommerce site for selling tea. However, the overall operation contains maintaining the site, procuring tea, sending the product through courier, and getting the payment.

Promotion plays an important role in this business. Additionally, you must know the different varieties of tea and flavors. Nowadays, several companies offer eCommerce platforms for small sellers or beginners in exchange for reasonable monthly fees.

#3. Tea Export

An export-oriented tea business is all about sourcing high-quality teas from tea-producing regions and exporting them to international markets. They may work with tea brokers and traders to facilitate cross-border tea trade. The major tea-importing countries are Russia, Pakistan, Iran, the UK, and the USA.

To start a tea export business, you will need to obtain the IEC code for starting a tea export. The business demands sound knowledge about the international market demand for tea.

Read: Top Tea Brands

#4. Tea Plantation

The tea plantation business demands substantial capital investment and long-term strategic planning. However, the business is highly lucrative and it ensures a great net profit yearly. If you want to start a tea plantation, then having a tea garden is a must. And you can have a garden in two ways. Either you can purchase an old tea garden or you can get into a lease agreement with an existing garden owner.

Tea plantation is a highly management-intensive work. You need experienced manpower for the overall operations of the garden. Additionally, you have to have a full-proof financial plan. You must be ready for the upfront investments in procurement, staffing, etc.

#5. Tea Processing

Tea processing is another great tea business that ensures great profit and revenue. Generally, big gardens have their processing centers. On the other hand, small gardens depend on other tea processing centers. Usually, they sell the green fresh leaves to the processing centers.

Therefore, the success of the tea processing business hugely depends on the location. Additionally, the raw material input directly depends on local tea production. In starting a tea processing unit, you have to put the investment in land & building, machinery, raw material purchase, utility, and manpower.

Read: How to Start Tea Bag-Making Manufacturing Business

#6. Tea Franchise

You can open a tea stall as a franchise of a reputed tea brand also. There are several established tea brands in India that offer franchise opportunities at present.

#7. Wholesale Tea Supplier

Wholesale tea suppliers focus on supplying teas in bulk to retailers, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and other businesses. They usually have a wide range of teas to cater to different customer preferences.

#8. Tea Subscription Service

This model involves offering subscription-based services where customers receive a curated selection of teas regularly. Subscribers receive new teas each month or as per their chosen frequency, encouraging repeat purchases and customer loyalty.

#9. Tea Blending and Packaging

Some businesses specialize in blending and packaging teas sourced from various regions to create unique blends. These teas are then sold to retailers or directly to consumers.

#10. Tea Tasting Events and Workshops

Tea businesses can organize tea-tasting events, workshops, or tea ceremonies to educate customers about different tea varieties, brewing methods, and the art of tea appreciation. These events can create brand awareness and engage customers on a deeper level.

#11. Tea Catering Services

This model involves providing tea catering services for events, parties, weddings, and corporate functions. The business supplies a selection of tea and tea-based beverages along with tea accessories and serving equipment.

#12. Tea Garden and Plantation

Some businesses own and manage tea gardens or plantations where they grow and harvest tea leaves. These businesses can then process the tea leaves and sell the final product under their brand.

We hope this list of tea business ideas will help you in starting a profitable and right business. If you have any other tea-based business ideas in your mind, do share them on our Facebook page.