Tea export declined by half in March '11

New Delhi, Aug 10 : Export of tea has declined by nearly half in March this year to 11.90 million kg due to low overseas demand and payment problems from importing countries, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya M Scindia said in a written reply that the estimated export of tea from India during March 2011 has declined due to political disturbances in Afghanistan, Egypt and a few Middle East countries, payment problems associated with exports to Iran and non-tariff barriers regarding exports to Iraq.

He said India through the Tea Board is taking various steps to boost its export which include promotional campaigns in the foreign markets, buyer-seller meets, tea tasting sessions, trade fairs, international conventions, incentive to exports and lending promotional support to Indian tea exporters in their marketing efforts.

Responding to another question, Mr Scindia said there is, however, a sharp rise in the exports of Indian tea to Pakistan over the past three years as this is evident from the fact that tea export to that country went up from Rs 57.42 crore in 2008 to Rs 119.57 crore by 2010.

--UNI

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