India's soaring imports may impact image
The amount and value of tea imported to India has risen sharply this year, official figures show. In the first two months of 2009, India imported 3.4 million kilograms of tea from countries such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka or China, compared with 1.9 million kg in the earlier corresponding period. India imports tea for re-export to other countries, so the imported tea is not consumed in the domestic market. Industry insiders fear that poor quality tea, imported for re-exports, may tarnish the image of Indian tea in global markets.