Global black tea production down 1.86%

Global black tea production in the first eight months of the current calendar, excluding in China, has fallen 1.86 per cent compared with the same period of 2010, reveals an analysis of the latest data available with Tea Board and trading organisations. “According to our compilation, global production has totalled 1247.79 million kg (mkg) during January-August compared to 1224.56 mkg in 2010,” Mr Rajesh Gupta, Director, Global Tea Brokers, told Business Line . This reduction of 23.23 mkg shows a decline of 1.86 per cent. Kenya accounted for the bulk crop loss of 31.30 mkg with production totalling 229.30 mkg. Uganda lost 12.50 mkg to dip to 19.08 mkg, Indonesia, 9.40 mkg to total 41.50 mkg and Malawi, 3.20 mkg to decline to 35.50. Sri Lanka's production dropped 1.79 mkg to 220.88 mkg. India posted the highest gain of 33.70 mkg to total 618.60 mkg. The increase would have been higher but for 4.26 mkg loss in South India at 157.70 mkg. North Indian production rose 37.96 mkg to touch 460.90 mkg. There was marginal increase in production in Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.