Sri Lanka's economic crisis powers 22% spike in Indian orthodox tea exports

Sri Lanka accounts for half the global trade in orthodox teas. Sources say exports from India could pick up further in second and third quarters, will help meet target of 240 mkg by year-end

Orthodox tea exports from India have increased by more than 22 per cent in the first six months of the calendar year as its largest supplier, Sri Lanka, grapples with an economic crisis.

According to the latest data available on the Tea Board India website, tea exports from India during January-June 2022 stood at 96.89 million kg, up by 10.43 million kg (mkg) over the same period last year. Much of the increase was from the orthodox segment, whose exports rose by 8.92 mkg to stand at 48.62 mkg. The increase in exports of CTC tea, on the other hand, was