Tea consumption growth slowed in 2018 on quality concerns, fewer choices

Growth of tea consumption fell 2.4 per cent last year to 1,084 million kg (mkg), primarily due to fewer choices and stagnation of quality. In 2017, consumption was 1,059 mkg — 9.7 per cent higher than in 2016 — shows Tea Board data.

“Unless quality tea is offered, why would consumers spend to buy more? They’d prefer other beverages, which assure certain quality standards,” said a Union government trade official.

Average consumption was the highest in Gujarat at 1,385 gram (g) a year per person, followed by Haryana at 1,231g. The major producing states of Assam and West Bengal had only 799g