India's tea exports have surged 93 per cent over the past decade, climbing from ₹4,509 crore in FY2013-14 to ₹8,719 crore in FY2025-26, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Thursday, 21 May, on the occasion of International Tea Day. The figures underscore India's deepening footprint in global tea markets, backed by rising quality benchmarks and sustained promotional efforts.

Export Growth in Numbers

In FY2024-25, India exported 263 million kg of tea, realising a total value of ₹7,818 crore, according to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS). The jump to ₹8,719 crore in FY26 marks the strongest export value on record, reflecting both volume gains and improved price realisation in key overseas markets.

What Minister Goyal Said

Marking International Tea Day with a post on social media platform X, Goyal described tea as 'an emotion' deeply woven into India's daily life and traditions. 'Tea is an emotion. And on #InternationalTeaDay, there cannot be a better way to describe it! Across India, tea is more than just a beverage, it is a part of everyday life, conversations and traditions,' he wrote.

He further highlighted the geographic diversity of India's tea regions: 'From the hills of Darjeeling to the valleys of Assam and the plantations of the Nilgiris, every region brings its own distinct flavour, aroma and character to a cup of tea!'

Employment and Women's Role

The Indian tea industry's organised sector employs approximately 12 lakh workers, of whom about 58 per cent are women, Goyal noted. In a post on X in June 2025, the minister acknowledged women's central role in the sector's growth: 'Women are leading the growth of India's tea sector. Our nation continues to make a mark globally with its aromatic teas and steady export rise.'

The Role of Tea Board of India

Goyal credited the Tea Board of India with driving quality improvements and promoting India's tea heritage internationally. The board's sustained outreach across markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia has helped Indian teas — particularly premium varieties from Darjeeling, Assam, and the Nilgiris — command stronger price premiums abroad. This comes amid growing global consumer interest in single-origin and specialty teas, a trend that plays to India's geographic advantage.

What Comes Next

With export value nearly doubling over a decade and the FY26 figure setting a new high, the sector's next challenge is sustaining volume growth while moving further up the value chain into premium and organic segments. Industry observers note that climate variability in key growing regions remains a structural risk that could affect output in coming seasons.