The Rome-based Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has projected that India will continue to maintain its supremacy in global black tea production in the next ten years.

In its document on medium-term outlook for tea giving predictions up to 2027, the FAO has projected India’s black tea production to rise to 1,618 million kg (mkg) in 2027 from 1,260 mkg in 2017.

India on top

This will mean India continuing to top the global black tea production table with Kenya following with 606 mkg, China with 554 mkg and Sri Lanka with 370 mkg.

FAO projects Indian tea production to grow at 1.4 per cent per annum in this decade.

Similarly, India will continue to be the world’s largest consumer of black tea with a growth of 2.2 per cent per year. This will take the consumption level to 1,264 mkg in 2027 from 1,040 mkg in 2017.

China’s consumption of black tea will rise to 541 mkg from 302 mkg in 2017. This nation will continue to consume a heavy volume of green tea.

Exports to go up

FAO has projected India’s exports of black tea to increase to 363 mkg in 2027 from 241 mkg in 2017. It actually sees a negative growth in shipments in some years in the decade under review.

Interestingly, India which shipped a lower volume than Sri Lanka in 2017 will surpass the island in the next ten years. Sri Lanka is expected to export 336 mkg in 2027 against 282 mkg in 2017.

Kenya will continue to top the global black tea export table in 2027 with 524 mkg. It exported 400 mkg in 2017.

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