Tea Export Static Since Independence

Though tea production in India has increased manifold since Independence, its export has remained static since that time and the increased production is used to cater to the ever growing domestic consumption. However, the Tea Board has identified the potential international market and efforts are on to increase export.



Talking to The Assam Tribune, Chairman of the Tea Board MGVK Bhanu said that in 1947, the country produced 252 million kilograms of tea and 201 million kilograms were exported, while only 51 million kilograms were consumed inside India. In 1970, tea production increased to 419 million kilograms and the export was 202 million kilograms. In 2012, the country’s tea production increased to 1126 million kilograms and the export was only 205 million kilograms and the rest was consumed domestically.



Bhanu said that there has been a significant increase in production, productivity and domestic consumption of tea since Independence. There has been a phenomenal increase – 1747 per cent – in domestic consumption since Independence, and almost the entire increased production is used in catering to the burgeoning domestic consumption, while the export market remained more or less static.



Giving an account of the steps taken by the Tea Board to increase export, Bhanu said concerted efforts are being made covering five focus countries – Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Egypt and the United States of America. He revealed that all these markets have been nurtured except Egypt, which witnessed political and domestic disturbances.



The Tea Board Chairman said that a strong delegation of the Board was sent to Iran, which resulted in exports to that country. He said that Iran, with its preference for orthodox tea, particularly Assam tea, presents a great opportunity to increase export, both in terms of volume and value. India also put up a strong presence at the recently held North American Tea Conference. The speciality and quality segment has been growing in the USA and there is opportunity for growth in the segment in the days to come, he added.



According to records available with the Tea Board, the CIS countries import the highest quantity of tea from India, while, the exports to Iran, Egypt and the UAE also recorded marginal increase in the last couple of years. In 2011-12, India exported 58.59 million kilograms of tea to the CIS countries and the volume increased to 61.25 million kilograms in 2012-13. Similarly, the export to the UAE increased from 18.05 million kilograms to 21.51 million kilograms, export to Iran increased from 11.05 million kilograms to 18.73 million kilograms and to Egypt from 6.57 million kilograms to 9.66 million kilograms and to Germany from 7.18 million kilograms to 7.97 million kilograms.



Bhanu said that India also imports small quantities of tea not only from Kenya and Sri Lanka but also from other countries, mainly for re-export and blending and value addition.



Meanwhile, the area under tea cultivation in India increased from 337300 hectares at the time of Independence to 580000 hectares last year.

Source:- assamtribune.com