Global black tea production increased by 3.65 per cent in calendar 2016 over 2015.
“Our compilation of the official data received from various producing countries shows that total black tea production in 2016 rose to 2181.78 million kg (mkg) from 2104.87 mkg in 2015. This increase of 76.91 mkg marked a growth of 3.65 per cent,” Rajesh Gupta, compiler of the ‘Global Tea Digest 2016’ told BusinessLine .
The highest increase of 72.01 mkg came from Kenya, with its production rising to 471.22 mkg. Favourable climate conducive for a better harvest helped output rise significantly.
India continued to top the black tea table with production rising 30.49 mkg to a record 1,239.15 mkg. North India produced 45.85 mkg more to reach 1026.94 mkg, while South India’s output declined by 15.36 mkg to 212.21 mkg due to prolonged dryness.
Bangladesh posted an increase of 16.34 mkg to reach 82.68 mkg.
These increases were large enough to offset the sharp decline of 36.48 mkg in Sri Lanka to 289.61 mkg. Adverse weather negatively impacted the harvest in many regions for most of the year.
Uganda and Tanzania also posted lower production due to unfavourable climatic conditions.