Tea exports fall 11.3%

Tea exports from India declined 11.3 per cent in January-July, according to Upasi. Exports in January-July were 89.7 million kg compared with 101.1 million kg during the corresponding period last year, said the Upasi report.

Exports from both north India and south India are down by 4.1 million kg and 7.3 million kg, respectively, it said.

"Only comforting factor in otherwise bleak export scenario in the country is the increase in unit value realisation irrespective of regions," it said.

The unit value had gone up to Rs 92.57 per kg in January-July compared with Rs 88.04 per kg a year ago.

The total value of exports dropped 6.7 per cent to touch Rs 8.30 billion during the period under review from Rs 8.89 billion.

Tea imports to the country have shown a sharp 34.9 per cent fall in January-July.The total imports fell to 9.8 million kg from 15 million kg a year ago. In 2004, India exported 183.6 million kg tea worth Rs16.73 billion.