Tea in Qatar: growth, tradition, and a winter-driven surge in demand

Tea continues to strengthen its position as one of Qatar’s most resilient and fast-evolving beverage categories, supported by both steady import growth and deeply rooted cultural habits. According to Trade Map, Qatar’s tea imports increased by 35% between 2022 and 2024, confirming the country’s expanding appetite for tea across a wide range of consumption occasions. This trend is particularly noteworthy when compared to coffee: over the same period, Qatar’s coffee imports grew by only 20%, underscoring tea’s faster momentum within the country’s hot beverage landscape.

While green tea recorded the fastest growth—reflecting emerging preferences for lighter, health-oriented choices—black tea remains the dominant category, accounting for the majority of overall import value. In 2024 alone, black tea represented 86% of Qatar’s total tea imports, which reached US$33.7 million, reinforcing its role as the backbone of the market despite the rise of newer segments.

Yet beyond trade data, tea’s strength in Qatar is also cultural. Despite the influx of new trends and premium variations, the country’s tea culture remains firmly anchored in tradition—especially through the sustained popularity of classic karak chai. This preference is visible across the nation’s most successful tea-serving locations: at venues such as Tea Time, traditional karak continues to outperform flavored karak and even competes strongly with coffee. Importantly, this trend is not limited to heritage-driven settings such as Souk Waqif; it is equally evident in modern environments including university campuses, where young adults make up the vast majority of customers. The consistency of classic karak’s appeal highlights its role as a cross-generational staple, even as the broader tea market evolves.

Seasonality is also playing an increasingly important role in driving tea consumption. According to a Gulf Times report, Qatar’s cooler winter months are generating a measurable uplift in tea sales, with shops reporting higher foot traffic and greater beverage volumes throughout the day. As temperatures drop, consumers naturally shift toward hot drinks, reinforcing tea’s position as a comfort beverage while creating strong seasonal revenue opportunities for tea-focused outlets and cafés.

The same Gulf Times report notes that the strongest rise in demand continues to be led by karak, while green and black teas are also experiencing a noticeable increase. Tea shops observed customers ordering more frequently—from early morning through late evening—suggesting that demand is not limited to a single day part. Instead, tea maintains relevance across multiple occasions, strengthening its commercial significance within Qatar’s beverage landscape.

At the same time, evolving consumer preferences are visible through the growing popularity of spiced and premium tea infusions. Beyond classic karak, operators are seeing increasing interest in chai and specialty tea drinks infused with cardamom or saffron—flavors strongly associated with premium positioning and regional taste profiles. The Gulf Times article suggests that the surge is not purely seasonal: it also reflects a rising appreciation for quality and authenticity in tea preparation, particularly among consumers seeking a more elevated beverage experience.

Operationally, this growth is creating new challenges and opportunities. Tea outlets told Gulf Times that demand remains high even outside peak periods, requiring teams to prepare larger batches in advance in order to maintain service speed and volume. This shift points to a higher baseline level of tea consumption, with implications for staffing, production planning, and inventory management—especially for venues operating in high-traffic winter areas.

Taken together, the trends underline Qatar’s unique position in the region: a tea market where strong import growth and modern preferences coexist with a deeply ingrained attachment to classic karak. For hospitality operators and tea suppliers, the message is clear: while premium and functional tea segments are rising, tradition remains the engine of volume—and winter continues to amplify tea’s relevance as a commercial category.

This article includes reporting based on a Gulf Times article on Qatar’s winter beverage culture.