The Hindu Business Line : Jan-April tea output declines to 127.2 mkg

INDIAN tea production during the first four months of 2004 (January-April) is down by over 30 million kg, marking a shortfall of more than 19 per cent compared to that in the corresponding period in 2003.

According to the statistics issued by the Indian Tea Association (ITA), Indian tea production from January to April this year has dropped to 127.2 million from 157.4 million kg.

While production in North India dropped by 19.8 per cent to 76 million kg from 94.8 million kg, in South India production dropped by 18.2 per cent to 51.2 million from 62.6 million kg.

Globally, Kenya, has recorded a growth of 30 per cent in production to 117.5 million kg from 90.7 million kg.

Sri Lanka registered a minor production growth of one per cent to end at 19.6 million kg during this period.

The overall global production is down by 1.2 per cent to 374.6 million kg from 379 million kg in the first quarter of 2004.

Exports of Indian tea have grown by almost 20 per cent to 45.7 million kg from 38.2 million kg.

Tea imports into India have increased marginally to 3.58 million kg from 2.03 million kg in the corresponding period of 2003.

Though the average price at Indian auction centres has dropped from Rs 57.23 per kg to Rs 51.06 per kg, other major auction centres in the world like that of Jakarta, Mombasa and Colombo have recorded increase in prices.

Siliguri and Guwahati auction centres registered the highest fall in prices.

While the average price for Siliguri dropped by Rs 4.55 per kg to Rs 54.95 per kg from Rs 59.50 per kg, in Guwahati, it dropped by Rs 4.19 per kg to Rs 55.61 per kg.

Even the average export price of Indian teas during the period under consideration dropped by Rs 18.68 per kg to Rs 79.46 per kg from Rs 98.14 per kg.