Tea exports rise to 196.32 m kgs

Kolkata, May 15

THE domestic tea exports increased to 196.32 million kgs in 2000-2001 from 192.44 million kgs in the previous fiscal. "Despite the slight increase in quantity, the value of exports during the fiscal came down to Rs 1748.36 crore from Rs 1932.66 crore in 1999-2000," Tea Board officials said.

During the first quarter of the current year, country’s tea exports stood at 38.29 million kgs which was almost four million kgs less than the exports posted during the same period last year. The declining trend in the value of exports continued in the first quarter of this season even though the tea industry as well as the Tea Board made various attempts to improve the price line.

The consultative committee of Tea Planters Association had in October last urged all the planters not to go for increasing production and instead lay stress on quality. The suggestions had so far failed to make any impact on the prospects of the industry which continued to witness stiff competition from Sri Lanka and African countries. (PTI)