India’s tea exports increased by 8.67 per cent in volume and by 13.18 per cent in value during the first half of the current financial year on demand from countries such as UAE and Iraq.
Export volume during April-September this year were up at 122.55 million kg (mkg) compared with 112.77 mkg a year ago. In value, shipments were up at ₹3,403.64 crore against ₹3,007.19 crore a year ago, as per the latest provisional data released by the Tea Board. The unit price realised by the exporters was up 4.15 per cent at ₹277.73 per kg against ₹266.67 per kg.
Region-wise,exports from North India during H1FY25 were up 7.05 per cent at 71.04 mkg (66.36 mkg in the year-ago period). In value terms, North Indian exports registered a 14.5 per cent increase at ₹2,261.91 crore (₹1,977.19 crore). Also, the unit price realised by North Indian exporters was up by about 7 per cent at ₹318.68 per kg (₹297.95).
Shipments from South India were up by 11 per cent in volumes at 51.51 mkg (46.41 mkg). In value terms the exports were up 10.65 per cent at ₹1,139.73 crore (₹1,030 crore). However, the unit value of the South Indian shipments were almost flat at ₹221.26 per kg.
Iran via UAE
“Markets that have grown this year include Iraq, UAE and the US to some extent,” said Dipak Shah, Chairman, South India Tea Exporters Association. For Iran, the largest market, tea shipments might be going through the UAE.
UAE was the largest buyer of Indian teas during H1FY25, followed by the US, Iraq, Russia and UK in value.
Shah said the movement has been somewhat slow movement in the past month, which could be attributed to some large shipment volumes to Iraq coming to an end.
During the January-September period of calendar 2024, the export volume registered a near 18 per cent growth at 190.08 mkg (161.26 mkg). In value, the January-September exports were up 16.36 per cent at ₹5,064.59 crore (₹4,352.62 crore). However, the per unit price during this period was a tad lower at ₹266.45 per kg (₹269.91).
