KOLKATA: Goodricke Group, a tea major, is looking at diversifying into agro-crops and horticulture, M. C. Perkins, Chairman of Camellia plc, Goodricke's ultimate holding company in the U.K., said here on Saturday.

Talking to reporters after the company's annual general meeting, he said Camellia had tea and other interests in Kenya, Bangladesh, Malawi, the U.K., the U.S. and Brazil.

He said Camellia was `open to acquisitions if it gets a right garden at a right price'.

Elaborating on the horticulture foray, Mr. Perkins said a study was on in this regard but the proposed foray would be into areas where "Camellia has expertise". K. S. David, Managing Director, Goodricke, said that in the fallout of the Kenyan drought, Pakistan was emerging as a big importer of Indian tea, but South Indian plantations had a better chance to gain since their prices were lower. Goodricke was not in a position to tap the emerging tea-tourism market, Mr. David informed the shareholders.

"We have told the West Bengal chief minister that the company did not have bungalows to spare for this purpose".

In view of the company's improved profitability, a 7.5 per cent dividend has been recommended for 2005.

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