Indian companies to resume large-scale exports to Iraq amid global blues

Tea companies need to be cautious in resuming exports to Iraq

With Indian tea exports to Russia and other European countries on the decline and with the average export prices stuck at last year’s levels, Indian tea companies and exporters are planning to resume large-scale exports to Iraq, a lucrative market where exports stopped in 2013-14.

Azam Monem, chairman, Indian Tea Association (ITA), said the Union commerce ministry as well as tea industry officials would visit Iraq later this month to hold discussions on reopening the tea-trading window.

“In 2013-14 we exported around 50 million kg (mkg) to Iraq but it stopped following the escalation of political tensions there. Iraq buys