Tea production increased marginally during the month of May while exports dropped by almost 10%.
According to figures released by the Tea Board, Indian exports during the first five months of 2009 are seen shorter by almost 13 million kg. The unit realization per kg of tea has increased 31 % due to global shortage of the commodity to touch Rs 129.1 for the five months.
The global shortfall in tea is likely to end up significantly higher than anticipated as other tea producing nations like Kenya and Sri Lanka report lower production during the month of May. Tea Board puts the South Indian tea production during May lower by 2.3 million kg. North Indian plantations have managed to increase the production marginally by 3.4 million kg during the month of May.
The total production during the first five months of 2009 is shorter by 24 million kg. Production during January-May 2009 stands at 215.8 million kg as against 240.2 million kg during January-May 2008.
Drought like conditions in the Dooars and major portion of Terai has seen production in North India fall significantly in the early part of the year. In South India, frost during the month of December and January and then the continuous drought in the following months saw production drop down.
During May, exports stands at 9.77 million kg valued at Rs 134.99 crore as against 10.8 million kg valued at Rs 11.9 crore in May 2008. Export realisation has shot up to Rs 775.04 crore so far this calendar year as against Rs 727.34 crore a year before.