India Secures Position as Third Largest Tea Exporter, Generating Rs 7,111 Crore in 2024
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Synopsis
The tea industry in India is expanding rapidly, achieving record exports of 254.67 million kg in 2024. This growth has solidified India's status as the third-largest tea exporter worldwide, generating Rs 7,111 crore in revenue.
Key Takeaways
- India exported a record 254.67 million kg of tea in 2024.
- Revenue from tea exports reached Rs 7,111 crore.
- India is now the third largest tea exporter after China and Kenya.
- New markets for Indian tea are expanding, including Turkey.
- Future target set for 30 crore kg of tea exports by 2030.
Jalpaiguri (West Bengal), March 26 (NationPress) The tea sector in the nation is witnessing remarkable growth, as in 2024, tea exports surged to an unprecedented 254.67 million kg, solidifying India's position as the third largest tea exporter globally.
After experiencing challenges in recent years, the tea industry has rejuvenated.
Vijay Gopal Chakraborty, Secretary of the Small Tea Producers Association in Jalpaiguri, commended India's rising prominence in the tea sector.
He informed IANS, "The tea industry saw a consistent growth trajectory in 2024, a trend that had been absent in the last two to three years. In comparison to last year's figures, India exported a record 254.67 million kg of tea in 2024, marking the highest in the past decade. This resulted in revenue of Rs 7,111 crore, translating to an average price of Rs 280 per kg. In contrast, 23.169 crore kg of tea was exported in 2023 at an average price of Rs 265.91 per kg."
"A recent report from the International Tea Committee indicates that India has surpassed Sri Lanka to claim the title of the third largest producer of global tea exports, trailing only China and Kenya," Chakraborty remarked.
Discussing the entry of new markets for Indian tea, he stated, "Russia has been our traditional tea ally, but new opportunities have emerged in the global market for Indian tea. Approximately 70 percent of India's tea exports are directed to countries such as The UAE, Russia, the US, the UK, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, China, Germany, and Turkey. It's intriguing that in Turkey, each person consumes up to six kg of tea annually. The Turkish market is a new venture for us.
Looking ahead, Chakraborty outlined ambitions for the tea industry, stating, "We have set an ambitious target for the tea sector. By 2030, we aim to export 30 crore kg of tea worldwide. The country produces a total of 140 crore kg of tea, with 110 crore kg sold domestically. The recent developments in the tea industry are highly encouraging, and we anticipate further growth in the future."
