Jan-May exports up nearly 20% in India
Figures from the Tea Board of India indicate that exports increased by 19% to 71 million kilograms in the first five months of 2010, compared with 59.5 million kg in the same period last year. Strong demand from the Middle East region and rapid price rises of Sri Lankan tea are considered as the two main factors behind this. However, the Tea Board warned that excessive rains in the prized Assam region may adversely affect crop yields and dampen future export growth rate. India expects to export approximately 200 million kilograms of tea in 2010. Its main competitors remain Kenya and other African nations for CTC (crush-tear-curl) tea, and Sri Lanka and Indonesia for orthodox varieties.