All along, the Indian tea industry has remained content because it remained the largest producer of the commodity worldwide. But unfortunately enough, it has been losing out on the traded value in world trade.

The moot question is whether India should remain content being just a raw material supplier and get a transfer price for the product it sells. Or, should it attempt to move up the value chain.

Today, it is old-fashioned to say that imports would mean a death-knell for the industry. Redefining its strengths and weaknesses would be in place. Increased domestic penetration should be balanced with an upsurge in exports. It’s time this industry regains its earlier dominant global position.