The Hindu Business Line : Tea imports show rising trend

Coonoor, April 4 Tea imports, which had fallen last year, are once again tracing upward path in 2008, an analysis of the latest data available with the Tea Board indicates.

In 2006, imports dropped to 15.99 million kg from 23.81 million kg as the price of the imported tea rose to Rs 65.43 from Rs 50.15. Consequently, the country’s import bill dropped to Rs 104.6 crore from Rs 119.42 crore.

But 2008 has opened with higher imports. In January, 8.9 lakh kg have been imported against 4.11 lakh kg in January 2007, despite the price rising to an average of Rs 71.27 a kg from Rs 70.28. Consequently, the country’s import bill has risen sharply to Rs 6.34 crore from Rs 4.11 crore.

Significant rise

This year, the highest volume of 2.68 lakh kg came from Nepal. In January 2007, no import took place from Nepal. A volume of 2.61 lakh kg was imported from Indonesia against 1.69 lakh kg last year, with the price dropping to Rs 52.99 a kg from Rs 73.11.

But, as much as 63,000 kg came from Sri Lanka against 11,000 kg last year, despite the unit price rising to Rs 114.99 a kg from Rs 88.12. Imports from China also rose significantly to 48,000 kg from 25,000 kg, with the price dropping to Rs 97.75 a kg from Rs 162.95.

Sharp increase was seen in the import from UK, with the volume accounting for 25,000 kg against 3,000 kg in the previous year, despite the price rising to Rs 220.56 a kg from Rs 163.72. Imports also took place from Malawi, Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe from where no import was made last year.

But, imports from Kenya dropped to 1.3 lakh kg from 2.10 lakh kg. Prices remained flat at Rs 78. With Vietnam teas becoming costlier, imports slid. This year, every kilogram of Vietnam tea cost Rs 72.74 against Rs 37.88 last year. So, volume dropped to 38,000 kg from 70,000 kg.

Of the total import bill of Rs 6.34 crore, Nepal received Rs 1.59 crore, Indonesia Rs 1.38 crore and Kenya Rs 1.03 crore.

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