Date:10/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/10/stories/2008071056131900.htm

Business

Tea exports, imports up

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: India’s tea exports as well as imports have registered an increase in the first five months of 2008, even as domestic tea prices maintained its upward trend.

Current statistics compiled by the Indian Tea Association show that between January and May 2008, tea exports increased by 3.4 million kg (with South India contributing for the bulk of the rise) with realisations improving by Rs. 3.30 a kg in the international market. Tea imports increased by 1.67 million kg with a drop in average prices.

Sources at the Tea Board said that India earned Rs. 651 crore through exports of 66 million kg of tea in the first five months under review with prices averaging Rs. 98.68 a kg.

In the first two months of this fiscal, exports were 22.7 million kg earning Rs. 232.20 crore with average prices breaching the Rs. 100 a kg barrier.