Tea Exports Touched 190 Mn Kg In 97

Tea exports clocked a volume of 190 million kgs in 1997 as against 150 million kgs in 1996 with the recovery of the Russian and UK markets, according to A N Banerjee, chairman, Terai branch, Indian Tea Association (TBITA). Addressing the annual general meeting of TBITA at Bengdubi near here, Banerjee said that it was necessary for the tea industry to diversify production, and export value-added-tea, packet tea, tea bags and instant tea to meet the increasing demand of the overseas market. Stating that India needed a substantial increase in tea production, he said that nearly 80 per cent of tea bushes in the country were over 30 years while 45 per cent were over 50 years old which affected the overall production potential. PTI