Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry

09-May-2012 17:08 IST

Decline in Export of Tea

 India has been maintaining supply of 200 million kgs of exports during the  last five years. The details of exports of tea during the period 2006 to 2010 are given below:

  The world export scenario indicates that India as a tea producing country has been facing tough competition from  other principal producing  countries  like Kenya (primarily CTC variety), China (mainly Green tea) and Sri Lanka (primarily Orthodox variety).

  Keeping in view the tough competition in the world market, five strategically important markets viz. U.S.A., Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran and Egypt have been  chosen for extensive & intensive promotional intervention in the coming five years through dedicated funding. The above countries have been selected based on the criteria of “Market Attractiveness & Potentiality” and “Ability of  the Indian Tea Industry to compete”.

In addition, following steps have been taken to boost tea exports:

(i)  Participation in international and/or specialized fairs and exhibitions.

(ii)  Promotional support to the exporters and Tea Associations for participating in international fairs/exhibitions and/or organizing tea delegations BSM/Tea Tasting Sessions in the overseas countries.

(iii) 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

(iv) Media publicity

(v) Buyer Seller Meets

(vi) Public Relation (PR) activities to establish closer link between importers and exporters

(vii) Exchange of tea delegations between India and Tea importing countries

(viii) The Tea Board has been assisting tea exporters towards meeting the additional transport and handling charges incurred for teas exported through I.C.D., Amingaon in Assam

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

DS/GK