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Our Bureau

Kolkata , May 19

TEA production during the first three months of 2005 increased by 14.2 per cent compared to the same period a year ago.

The average price at the six auction centres has gained by approximately Rs 3.43 a kg. Exports have grown too but price realisation was marginally lower this year.

Like in the previous year, this year too imports have more than doubled in these three months. These trends in the industry are based on the statistics released by the Indian Tea Association (ITA).

According to ITA data, production between January and March was 84.7 million kg (mkg) against 74.1 mkg in the previous year. However, two of India's major competitors, Sir Lanka and Kenya, have recorded a fall in production by 2 per cent and 3.8 per cent, respectively.

In the domestic auction houses, the price of South Indian teas had gained more than that of the North Indian ones. The average price in the three South Indian auction centres was Rs 49.88 a kg against Rs 43.34 a kg in 2004. Compared to this, the average price of North Indian tea has increased slightly to Rs 56.96 a kg from Rs 55.53 a kg. Due to the effect of the South Indian tea prices, the average auction price of tea had gained. Sales through auction houses had jumped to 99.1 mkg against 80 mkg in the three months of 2004. It was evident more for the North Indian teas than the South Indian teas.Total exports during January-March increased to 41.4 mkg from 39.2 mkg. Total foreign exchange earnings had increased to Rs 346.09 crore from Rs 331.17 crore.

However, this growth is mostly because of the performance of the South Indian sector. While exports from South India increased to 25.9 mkg from 20.6 mkg, from the North India, it dropped to 15.5 mkg from 18.6 mkg.

Imports had jumped to 2.68 mkg from 1.26 mkg. The average price of these imported teas had, however, dropped to Rs 44.40 per kg from Rs 57.77 per kg.

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