Global black tea output up 9.36%

Wednesday, 28 August 2013 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

July production data for black tea production from Sri Lanka, Malawi and Bangladesh show a rise of 9% this calendar year compared with the same period a year ago.

“Accordingly, our compilation places the cumulative global black tea production so far this calendar at 913.38 million kg (mkg) from 835.23 mkg last year,” Rajesh Gupta, publisher of annual Global Tea Digest, told Business Line. This is an increase of 78.15 mkg. Sri Lanka’s July production dropped to 22.60 mkg from 25 mkg in July 2012. However, helped by higher production in earlier months, the cumulative output in the seven months increased to 194.86 mkg from 189.23 mkg. Malawi’s July production rose to 1.70 mkg (1.10 mkg). However, because of lower production in earlier months, the cumulative output was 31.87 mkg against 33 mkg last year. In July, Bangladesh produced 9 mkg against 8.30 mkg in July 2012. The cumulative output rose to 24.19 mkg from 23.63 mkg last year. Overall, the global climatic condition now is favourable for tea production and the unseasonal rains in Africa are helping higher crop in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda this month. (The Hindu Business Line)