Tea export set to miss target

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| According to latest data releasted by Tea Board, the country's exports during the first 10 months (January -October) stood at 142.94 m kgs as against 131.96 m kgs in the corresponding period of previous fiscal. |
| "Unless something dramatic happens during the balance two months, the possibility of which appears bleak, the target of 190 m kgs is difficult to achieve," industry sources said. |
| Incidentally, ITA, in its status paper for 2004, 'Indian tea scenario' had said that the country's tea exports would touch 190 m kgs. |
| The Tea Board data further said that country's tea exports had registered a decline of 14.78 per cent in October at 16.78 m kgs against 19.62 m kgs registered in the same month of previous year. |
| In fact, tea export had registered a decline during four consecutive months starting July, 2004. Despite that, total export during the first 10 months of 2004 stood higher by 8.32 per cent at 142.94 m kg as against 131.96 m kgs between January and October, 2003. |
| The Board's data said that tea production in october was up to 99.08 m kg from 95.71 m kgs last year even though cumulative production between January and October was down by 4.95 per cent to 697.19 m kg from 733.50 m kg. |
First Published: Dec 09 2004 | 12:00 AM IST