Tea Exports Fell by 5.6% and Production Decreased Due to the Lockdown

India’s Tea exports dip marginally by 5.6 percent in the last fiscal year from 254.50 million kg to 240 million kg according to new data. This year COVID-19 pandemic has further increased distress on Tea plantation during the lockdown due to the unavailability of migrant workers.

The biggest importer of Indian reduced imports from 60.72 million kg in fiscal year 2018-19to 59.40 million kg in the last fiscal year, according to the Tea data released.

The dip in economic growth in Tea importing nations is cited as the issue of reduced exports.

Iran continues to stand as the second-biggest importer, with the country importing 46.47 million kg up from 41.02 million kg.

China also increased the export to 12.71 million kg from 10.58 million kg the previous year. Export to neighbouring country Pakistan saw a hug dip from 14.6 million kg to 3.3 million kg, the previous fiscal. Big partners like the US, Australia, and UK saw exports grow into double digits in 2019-20, said the data.

Coronavirus forced the country to go under lockdown for two-long-months, during this time many migrants working in the tea sector left back to their villages. Though, farm products come under essential products in the lockdown. Confusion among the traders and unable to get timely permits for the moment of the goods created a problem in transport and logistics forcing the moment of good to go halt.

Even after unlock of the country started on June 8, reviving the operations has become hard for Tea farmers to continue their operations. Production of tea in March, during the present fiscal year, fell to 43.45 million kg when compared to last year’s March production which stood at 74.59 million kg.