India likely to post another record in tea output

There are indications that India is heading for yet another record production in tea in 2017, according to data released by the Tea Board. “ July data shows a 4.05 per cent rise in North India over July 2016 to reach 136.54 million kg (mkg) and a marginal 1.30 per cent fall in the south at 19.05 mkg,” Rajesh Gupta, a compiler of annual Global Tea Digest, told BusinessLine.

This means that in July the country’s tea production rose by 3.36 per cent to reach 155.59 mkg.

“Our compilation shows that in the seven months India produced 598.74 mkg against 574.57 mkg in January-July 2016,” said Gupta. This meant that India produced 24.17 mkg or 4.21 per cent more tea than in the seven months of 2016.

If this trend continues, the country will create another record in production, which is likely to hover around 1,290 mkg against last year’s 1,267 mkg. For the past few years, India has been creating new records year after year. Cumulatively, both north and south have produced more tea so far this calendar, thanks to good weather.

Tea production in North India has risen by 8.70 mkg to reach 462.17 mkg. Assam continues to top the production table at 283.75 mkg. South Indian production has risen by 15.47 mkg to reach 136.57 mkg – Tamil Nadu’s production increased by 13.54 mkg to reach 98.50 mkg, and Kerala produced 2.06 mkg more to reach 35.12 mkg.

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