World tea production declines 5.71%

Global tea production in the first five months of current calendar has dropped by 5.71 per cent over the corresponding period last year. The total production at 612.48 million kg (mkg) against 649.56 mkg in 2010. Of the decline of 37.08 mkg, the bulk of 33.69 mkg happened in Kenya where production slumped to 149.51 mkg. Uganda lost 5.27 mkg (9.93 mkg), Indonesia 7.8 mkg (25.9 mkg), and Malawi 1.7 mkg (31.1 mkg).

Sri Lanka's production increased by 1.59 mkg to touch 139.7 mkg. Zimbabwe and Bangladesh also posted a bigger crop. Indian production rose by 8.67 mkg to 243.61 mkg. North India gained 11.23 mkg to touch 146.74 mkg. South India, on the other hand, produced 2.56 mkg less (96.87 mkg).