Fresh export orders for tea, basmati from Iran, China and Russia

KOLKATA: Iran, China and Russia have placed fresh orders for Indian black tea in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak, a boost for the domestic industry which has incurred losses of about 100 million kg of teas owing to the lockdown. West Asian nations led by Iran have also placed orders for basmati rice, but traders are likely to miss the crucial Ramzan period, April 23-May 23, as it takes 40-45 days to ship the consignments.

Mohit Agarwal, director, Asian Tea, told ET: “There is good demand from Iran for orthodox teas. Their banks have opened and payments for the earlier consignments are coming. Exporters are buying privately since the auction centres are yet to open.”

Prices of tea have firmed up by 7-8% compared from that a year ago, to Rs 280-300 per kg, he said.