India leads growth in global black tea output
Global black tea production saw a healthy rise of 9.18% in 2013, according to the Indian Tea Board and traders' bodies. Global Tea Digest 2013 says that black tea production around the world rose to 1,860 million kilograms from 1,703 million kilograms a year ago, with almost all producing countries registering a bumper crop. The largest black tea producer was once again India, with 1,028 million kilograms, or more than half of the total. It also witnessed the biggest production increase of 76 million kg. India is followed by Kenya (354 million kg) and Sri Lanka (278 million kg). Then come Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malawi and Tanzania, all with higher output. Only Uganda posted a shortfall in its production of 45 million kg, albeit a marginal one.