India's Tea Exports Rise Nearly 10% In 2024, Production Shows Regional Variations

Kolkata, Jun 11 (KNN) India's tea exports demonstrated strong growth in 2024, rising 9.92 per cent to reach 254.67 million kilograms compared to 231.69 million kilograms in the previous year, according to data released by the Tea Board.

The export growth was supported by increased production across both northern and southern tea-growing regions during the calendar year. North Indian estates recorded production of 154.81 million kilograms in 2024, representing a 9.79 per cent increase from 141 million kilograms produced in 2023.

South Indian tea production similarly expanded, with volumes reaching 99.86 million kilograms in 2024, up 10.11 per cent from 90.69 million kilograms recorded in the previous year. The southern region's growth rate slightly exceeded that of the northern estates.

The Tea Board also released provisional production figures for the first quarter of 2025, showing mixed regional performance. All-India production for January through March 2025 totalled 69.22 million kilograms, marginally higher than the 67.53 million kilograms produced during the same period in 2024.

However, the quarterly data revealed divergent regional trends. North Indian production surged 14.38 per cent to 45.35 million kilograms in the first three months of 2025, compared to 39.65 million kilograms in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In contrast, south Indian tea production declined 14.38 per cent during the January-March 2025 period, falling to 23.87 million kilograms from 27.88 million kilograms in the same quarter of 2024. This represents a notable shift from the southern region's strong performance throughout the previous calendar year.

(KNN Bureau)