(a) whether the Indian tea output has touched 1,325.1 million kg in 2017-18, rising by 5.9 %;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether exports of tea too has hit a high of 256.6 million kg rising 12.5% during this year; and
(d) if so, whether much of this increased output comes from small tea growers and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b):Yes, Madam. The year 2017-18 has seen a record production of tea at 1325.05 Million Kgs. as compared to 1250. 49 Million Kgs. during 2016-17. The percentage of increase in 2017-18 over 2016-17 is recorded at 5.96%. The increase in production is attributed to favourable weather condition.
(c)&(d):The year 2017-18 has seen a record export of tea from India at 256.57 Million Kgs., as compared to 227.63 Million Kgs. during 2016-17. The percentage of increase in 2017-18 over 2016-17 is 12.71%. The increase in export is attributed to lesser supply of CTC teas by Kenya to the important CTC tea markets of Egypt, Pakistan, China, UAE and Poland.The production share of small growers has seen to have increased over the years. The percentage share of small growers have reached to the level of 46.91% in 2017-18 from 44.01% in 2016-17 of the total production.
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