MUMBAI, Oct 9 (Reuters) - India's tea exports fell 14 percent in the first eight months of 2009 as low output after a severe drought hit production earlier this year, a senior Tea Board official said on Friday.
Total exports during Jan-Aug were 112.8 million kg, compared with 130.7 million kg a year ago.
India exports CTC (crush-tear-curl) variety of tea mainly to Egypt, Pakistan and the UK and the premium orthodox variety of tea to Iraq, Iran and Russia.
"The shortfall was because of weather conditions but going forward there is some revival expected in the numbers as weather in the growing regions is seen improving," said Roshni Sen, deputy chairman, Tea Board of India.
Tea exports in value terms rose to 15.2 billion rupees in the period from 14.2 billion rupees in the same period last year. Rising internal consumption has pushed up prices of tea to 134.7 rupees per kg in the eight months from 108.86 rupees per kg in the corresponding period last year.
Production during the Jan-Aug period fell 0.73 percent to 595.3 million kg, whereas during August rose 9 percent to 134.4 million kg compared tot he same period a year earlier.
Source : REUTERS