As much as 43.91 per cent of the teas India imported in calendar 2010 came from Nepal, reveals an analysis of the latest data available with the Tea Board and the importers.

Between January and November, the latest period for which official data is available, India bought from Nepal 7.68 million kg (mkg) out of 17.49 mkg totally imported against 7.41 mkg out of 22.95 mkg in 2009.

India's overall import bill fell despite paying a higher price for the imported tea because of a reduction in the volume imported. India paid an average price of Rs 89.28 a kg against Rs 84.44 in 2009. But, the volume imported dropped to 17.49 mkg from 22.95 mkg. Consequently, the overall import bill declined to Rs 156.15 crore from Rs 193.79 crore.

Kenya supplied the second highest volume at a distant 2.43 mkg (2009: 2.38) followed by Vietnam at 2.18 mkg (5.46). Imports from Sri Lanka for which there is duty concession totalled only 0.28 mkg (0.93).

Value-wise, India paid the highest import bill of Rs 65.58 crore (Rs 61.23 cr) to Nepal followed by Rs 29.71 cr (Rs 32.10) to Kenya and Rs 14.66 cr (Rs 32.94 cr) to Vietnam.

The highest price of Rs 277.99 a kg was paid to Germany from which there was no import in 2009. India paid the second highest price of Rs 253.33 (Rs 179.63) to the UK followed by Rs 230.54 (Rs 414.79) to the US.

In all, India had imported tea from about 18 origins, some trading, not producing.

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