Bangalore March 29 Buoyed by the success of its promotional efforts in West Asia in recent years, the State-run Tea Board is now eyeing newer markets in South America and the Far East as part of its plans to enlarge the export basket.
“We are looking at unusual markets such as Chile in South America, Syria and the Far East to boost exports,” said Mr Basudeb Banerjee, Chairman of the State-run Tea Board.
Further, the Board was even looking at China as a market for the country’s high quality black teas, Mr Banerjee added.
The export basket for the Indian teas has changed over the past three to four years with West Asia emerging as a key export destination.
Of the 196 million kgs exported in calendar 2008, Russia the traditional largest buyer accounted for a fifth of the Indian exports at about 40 million kgs.
Making inroads
Indian teas are making inroads into countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq, the traditional export markets of major producers such as Kenya and Sri Lanka, which are facing a decline in output due to adverse weather conditions.
“We have improved a lot in the West Asia in past few years. Slowly, the centre of our exports is moving from Europe to West Asia,” Mr Banerjee said.
Tea exports to Egypt have almost trebled in past three years, from 4.8 million kgs to 15 million kgs in 2008, while Pakistan imported some 7-8 million kgs of Indian teas.
Exports to UAE stood at 25 million kgs, while Iran imported some 11 million kgs, Mr Banerjee said.
Except for deferment of purchase decisions from a section of buyers in Russia, the overall demand for Indian teas will not be affected due to the present economic crisis, Mr Banerjee said.
“As consumers shift from drinking fancy teas to tea bags, the Indian CTC teas would see a demand,” he said.
Source : Business Line