Abstract: Analyzing the evolution characteristics and agglomeration effect of tea production pattern is of great significance to the planning and layout of tea industry in Guangdong Province. In this study, the spatial gravity center model was introduced. The pattern evolution process and characteristics, and the spatial agglomeration effect of tea production in Guangdong Province were analyzed by using GIS technology and spatial autocorrelation analysis method. Results show that: (1) The planting area and yield of tea in Guangdong Province increased steadily from 1992 to 2017, and the growth rate was more obvious after 2008. (2) There were significant spatial differences in tea production in Guangdong. The northern and eastern Guangdong accounted for more than 85% of the planting area, and more than 83% of yield in Guangdong. The reduction in western Guangdong and the Pearl River Delta was obvious. (3) The center of gravity of tea production in Guangdong Province tended to move eastward and northward. The eastward shift of gravity center of tea planting area and yield reflected that the tea production has been gradually concentrated in east and north of Guangdong. (4) The spatial polarization and spillover of tea production in Guangdong Province were significant. The tea production agglomeration areas in Raoping, Chaoan, Dapu, Fengshun, Wuhua, Xingning, Yingde and Dongyuan were formed, which constituted the ‘hot spots’ of tea production in Guangdong Province, and they had stimulating effects on surrounding counties and cities. (5) Geographical environment and other natural factors were the basis for the expansion of area, the incentive and support of government policy was an important driving force for the formation of tea industry, the huge market consumption power was the direct factor of the rapid development of tea industry, the application and popularization of new cultivars and technologies were the important reasons for the expansion of tea planting area. The results indicate that the spatial agglomeration effect of tea production in Guangdong Province needs to be further strengthened. Next, it is necessary to promote the clustering development of tea production according to regional natural resources, geographical conditions and planting traditions, so as to enhance the market competitiveness of tea in Guangdong Province.

Key words: tea production, spatial evolution, spatial agglomeration, shifting of gravity center, Guangdong Province