The Hindu Business Line : Drop continues in tea exports; output up

Tea exports, which have been witnessing a decline since the second quarter of last year, continue to drop with the shipments down by 12 per cent during January-February this year compared with the same period a year ago.

Data available from the Tea Board show that exports slipped to 27.21 million kg (mkg) against 31.05 mkg. While January shipments were 13.77 mkg (15.59 mkg), February exports were 13.44 mkg (15.46 mkg).

The lower export figures come amidst hopes that this year, the sector could witness good times with rise in shipments. Hopes have been raised due to violence in Kenya and drought in the African country.

Analysts are of the view that exports could show improvement from March onwards since the orders would have started flowing out.

Exports in 2007 declined to less than 160 mkg against 218 mkg the year before, mainly since shipments to Iraq fell sharply, while Pakistan cut its purchase from India.

Meanwhile, production during January-February increased to 17.7 mkg against 15.1 mkg last year. The rise in output has been mainly in the South (16.4 mkg against 13.4 mkg), whereas in the North it declined to 1.3 mkg from 1.7 mkg. In the South, production in Tamil Nadu increased to 10.1 mkg from 8.5 mkg, while in Kerala it was up at 5.9 mkg (4.6 mkg). Production in North usually starts in March, while during January-February harvest is minimum.

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