Date:21/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/21/stories/2004082101461200.htm

Back Tea import bill rises 83 pc to Rs 13 cr

P.S. Sundar

Coonoor , Aug 20

THE volume of tea import in the first quarter of this year has increased significantly despite a marginal fall in the unit price of the landed tea.

According to industry sources, India imported 2,116 tonnes of tea at an average c.i.f price of Rs 61.87 a kg, between January and March this year as against 1,147 tonnes priced Rs 62.28 last year. Consequently, the overall import bill rose 83 per cent to Rs 13 crore from Rs 7.1 crore last year.

The largest volume of 593 tonnes came from Indonesia (last year: 310 tonnes) followed by Vietnam 571 tonnes (282) and Kenya 554 tonnes (107). PNG supplied 122 tonnes (47).

As for Sri Lanka, the imports fell to 29 tonnes from 96 tonnes.

India imported teas from several other countries including Malawi, China, Argentina and non-producers such as the UK, Germany, the UAE and Thailand.

The highest unit price of Rs 144 for the imported teas was paid to instant tea from Germany followed by Rs 127 to instant tea from the UK. The teas imported from the UAE were paid Rs 124.