Tea exports declined in value and volume terms during January-November 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, according to Union Commerce Ministry statistics.
Shipments dropped by 4.1 per cent to 185.68 million kg from 193.7 million kg during the period under reference. Earnings declined by 6.6 per cent to Rs.3,612.80 crore from Rs.3,866.90 crore. The unit price of Indian teas has dropped by 2.5 per cent. However, this seems to be part of a world trend in 2014.
Increased output by Kenya and Sri Lanka, two of India’s arch rivals in the international tea arena, and the domestic crop loss in some of the best tea producing months are reasons behind this performance, sources said.
Till November, official statistics pegged India tea crop at 1,126.9 million kg, which was 16.3 million kg lower than 2013.
Barring the sub-Himalayan terrains in North Bengal, tea production has declined across the country due to adverse weather conditions. Led by Assam (which gives 50 per cent of the crop), the output is lower in Darjeeling, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Meanwhile, the Tea Board took a delegation of tea exporters to Russia on Monday. Coinciding with an industrial exhibition, the visit includes meetings with Russian agriculture department officials, customs authorities, and individual companies.
Tea-tasting in a mall and networking workshops over chai have also been scheduled by the Moscow office of the Tea Board. Valentines Day is proposed to be marked with India tea. Russia, a 200-million kg market, is India’s single-largest importer, buying about 35 million kg. But that too is under pressure.
Source:thehindu.com
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