The Hindu : 14 p.c. drop in tea exports

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 25, 2004

Business

Business

14 p.c. drop in tea exports

By Our Staff Correspondent

KOLKATA, MARCH 24. Tea exports registered a 14 per cent fall in 2003. According to the revised estimates by the Tea Board, shipments were 173.1 million kg in 2003 against 201 million kg in 2002. In value terms, these dropped to Rs. 1,550 crores from Rs. 1,753 crores.

Imports dropped to 6.78 million kg from 22 million kg. Prices of imported teas, however, registered a marked increase to Rs. 63 a kg from Rs. 46.

Interestingly, India's loss led to major gains by Sri Lanka (11.3 million kg) and China (8.3 million kg). China, with a large domestic consumption base, proved to be the third largest exporter (237.5 million kg). Sri Lanka topped the list with a total of 298.3 million kg followed by Kenya (268 million kg). Overall, the total world tea trade was down by 8.4 million kg.

Exports to Iraq dropped by 31.48 million kg to 12.69 million kg that too at a lower price average. Exports to Russia, though declined by 5.54 million kg to 42.76 million kg, were more or less at last year's level of Rs. 64 a kg.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business