UK's dwindling tea consumption worries Indian exporters
Indian tea industry is bracing itself for a steep decline in UK tea consumption, as Brits shift to herbal teas and higher-quality brews. The UN food agency predicts that by 2021, tea consumption in the UK, currently the highest in the world per capita, will be slashed by 15%. Imports from India have already taken a hit, falling from 22 million to 16 million kilograms in five years. Industry insiders say that this decline can be attributed to the rise in popularity of herbal teas, like camomile, and premium quality leaves. India hopes to compensate this by tapping into the growing instant tea market. Tea was first imported into the UK in 1660 and the country now consumes 100 million kilograms of tea per year.