Tea output eases to 1,127.7 million kg in April-January

NEW DELHI: India's tea production has marginally declined to 1,127.7 million kg in April-January of the current fiscal.

The tea output during the first 10 months of the last fiscal stood at 1,137.2 million kg, according to the Tea Board data.

The lower output has been mainly due to unfavourable weather conditions. Besides, wage-related issues also hit tea producers, a source said.

India is the world's second-biggest tea producer and one of the largest consumers too.

The country exports CTC (crush-tear-curl) grade tea to countries like Egypt, the UK, and other traditional varieties to Iraq, Iran and Russia.

The exports of the beverage have surged 11 per cent to Rs 3,597.4 crore in the first 10 months of the ongoing fiscal, from Rs 3,240.90 crore in the year-ago period.

In terms of quantity, total tea exported in the period under review rose to 186.63 million kg as against 164.88 million kg a year earlier.

The tea sector has been facing other issues as well, including migration of laborers to other industries.

Tea plucking in India mainly starts between July and October.