The production of tea in the country stood at 17.02 million kg in February, as plucking gained in southern states, as per data compiled by Tea Board. This is a rise of 5.07% as compared to a production of 16.20 million kg from a year earlier period. India is the world’s second biggest tea producer and exports CTC (crush-tear-curl) grade mainly to Egypt, Pakistan and the UK, and the orthodox variety to Iraq, Iran and Russia.
The production of tea in North India gained by 0.89% and stood at 2.27 million kg February 2016 compared to 2.25 million kg production in February last year. The production in West Bengal dropped 15.23% and stood at 1.67 million kg compared to 1.97 million kg last year in February, while output in Assam jumped by 103.70% to 0.55 million kg this February.
Tea production in South India rose by 5.75% and stood at 14.75 million kg compared to 13.95 million kg in February last year. The production in states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka stood at 10.40 million kg, 3.99 million kg and 0.36 million kg respectively.