Addressing the annual genral body meeting of the association, he said tea imports were likely to increase under the WTO, SAARC and the Indo-Sri Lanka free trade agreements. The association also urged the state Government to extend the period of concessional rates of General Sales Tax and Central ST applicable to teas sold in the Kochi Auction Centre. The period of concessional rates would expire by Nov end. Expressing concern at the growing popularity of soft drinks and a drop in consumption of tea in the country, the association said though the country was one of the largest consumers of tea in the world, the per capita consumption of tea was much less when compared to neighbouring countries.