Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry

19-March-2012 16:56 IST

Present Status of Tea Industry

             Exports of tea from India are stagnating around 200 million kgs. over the last few years. However, during the current financial year, for the period April to December, 2011, the estimated exports show a sharp decline over corresponding period of last year.  The  details of exports of tea for the last three years and during current year from April to December, 2011 are as under:

                                                                        

    

   Estimated & subject to revision

The decline in exports is due to political disturbances in Afghanistan, Egypt and a few other Middle East countries, payment problems associated with exports to Iran, non-tariff barriers regarding exports to Iraq, lesser demand from big importing countries like Russia etc. 

       The export target of tea including Darjeeling tea for the current financial  year is 220 m.  kgs. The  targets proposed for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 are 196 m. kgs. and 199 m. kgs.  respectively and are based on factors like production, import, export and demand for domestic consumption.

        However, the Tea Board has instituted Darjeeling Tea Trade Chain Integrity System to ensure genuineness of Darjeeling tea for exports and to prevent misuse of Darjeeling name in the international market.

                 This information was given by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in a written reply to a question raised in Lok  Sabha  today.                           

 

DS/GK

Tea export integrity: new chain integrity system introduced as exports decline due to geopolitical and trade barriers. Indian tea exports have stagnated with a decline in April-December 2011 due to geopolitical disturbances, payment problems, non tariff barriers and reduced demand; government export targets are set based on production, import, export and domestic consumption projections. A Darjeeling Tea Trade Chain Integrity System has been instituted to ensure authenticity of Darjeeling tea for exports and prevent misuse of the Darjeeling name.