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Fall in S. Indian tea production

Our Bureau

COIMBATORE, Nov. 29

SOUTH Indian tea production has fallen steeply during the first ten months of the current calendar year from 166 million kg (mkg) to 158 mkg.

Tamil Nadu, which takes a lead among the three southern States, accounting for over 60 per cent of tea production witnessed a 4 per cent drop up to October this year. Production dipped by 4.1 mkg tonne to 9.9 mkg, as against 103 mkg during the correspond ing period of the earlier year. However, tea production in October alone recorded a marginal increase of close to 285,000 kg.

Karnataka, which accounts for just about 2 per cent of the South Indian tea production, recorded a 3 per cent dip in production. From 4.57 mkg, it fell to 4.39 mkg as at the end of October.

Kerala ranks next only to Tamil Nadu in tea production among the South Indian States, accounting for about 34 per cent. tea production dipped by more than 4 mkg up to the end of October 2001, when compared to the corresponding period of the earlier year. The total production stood at 54.45 mkg as against 58.52 mkg last year.

A glance at the production level of other tea producing countries reveals that Kenya has taken a lead over other countries Rs 44, which was marginally up when compared to the rates that prevailed in 2000. The auction rates though are far below the produc tion costs.