Question : Tea Production

(a) the total production of tea in the country during the last three years and the current year;

(b) whether the tea production in the country has registered a growth during the said period and if so, the details thereof indicating the contribution of small tea growers in total tea production;

(c) whether the auction prices of tea have risen as did the volume sold through auctions and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the North Indian tea estates led by Assam have been able to increase their output, offsetting the reverses suffered by South India which accounts for a quarter of India''s tea crop and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

a) to d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 308 FOR ANSWER ON 08TH AUGUST, 2016 REGARDING “TEA PRODUCTION”

(a) The total production of tea in the country during the last three years and the current year is given in the following Table:


Year Total tea production (Million Kg.)
2013-14 1208.78
2014-15 1197.18
2015-16 1233.14
2016-17 (Apr to May)* 166.77
*Provisional

(b) Tea production during 2015-16 was 1233.14 million Kg. and it registered a growth of 3% as compared to last year, which is the highest ever tea production in India. Tea production in India is in the increasing trend over the period due to increase in number of small tea growers and their increased contribution to tea production which is about 34% of the total production.

(c): Sale of tea through auctions is one of the modes of disposal for better price realization. The details of quantity of tea sold during the last three years including the current financial year and the average price realized is given in the following Table:

Year Quantity of tea sold at auctions
in Million Kg Average Price at auction (Rs. Per Kg.)
2013-14 531.08 126.12
2014-15 553.02 125.59
2015-16 536.08 127.62
2016-17
(Apr to May) 57.19 133.68
2015-16
(Apr to May) 52.93 113.46

(d):During 2015-16 the production in South India suffered due to unfavorable weather conditions. The production in South India declined by 16.76 Million Kgs. while the production in Assam has increased to the tune of 46.15 million kgs. during 2015-16 as compared to 2014-15.


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