Total exports between April 2000 and January 2001 increased to 168.88 million kgs from 163.71 mkg during the corresponding period of previous fiscal, officials said.

Tea exports in January this year was, however, down to 13.30 mkgs from 13.53 mkgs in the same month of previous year, they added.

The buoyant export figures have reportedly prompted Indian tea manufacturers to set a higher export target for 2001.

In the meantime, country's tea production during the first month (January) of the current season declined to 20.79 mkgs from 20.95 mkgs last year.

The marginal decline in production was attributed to the less production in West Bengal and Assam. Explaining this trend, Tea Board officials said: "There was hardly any production during the month in north India. This is the lean period for the region and full fledged crop was expected to start from end of March."

(PTI)