Tea production rise by 53 million kg in first 9 months: ITA

Tea production in the country rose by over 53 million kg in the first nine months of calender year 2013, says an Indian Tea Association (ITA) report released today.
In the January-September 2013 period, tea production touched 861.57 million kg as compared to 807.96 million kg in the same period of 2012.
North India tea production during the period was 690.88 million kg, while for South India, the figure was 170.69 million kg.
During the first six months from January to June of 2013, imports of tea into the country was 1.67 million kg higher at 9.65 million kg, the ITA report said.

Imports of tea take place for re-exports, ITA said.
"But whether re-exports actually happen, that cannot be confirmed due to lack of exports data," an ITA official told PTI.
During the first nine months in 2013, average auction prices increased by Rs 10.90 per kg and stood at Rs 129.96.