Global black tea output falls

Coonoor: Led by India, global black tea production in the first five months of current calendar has fallen by 64.29 million kg (mkg) over the same period of 2011, reveals an analysis of the latest data available from trade bodies.
“According to our compilation, global black tea production has dropped to 575.45 mkg from 639.74 mkg last year,” Rajesh Gupta, Director, Global Tea Brokers and publisher of annual Global Tea Statistical Diary, told Business Line.

The highest shortfall of 27.79 mkg has occurred in India with production dipping to 215.82 mkg. Here, North India has lost 17.93 mkg to produce 128.81 mkg and South India, 9.86 mkg to produce 87.01 mkg.
The second highest loss of 21.53 mkg has occurred in Kenya where production has totalled 127.98 mkg.
Uganda lost 8.86 mkg to total 12.65 mkg and Sri Lanka 5.29 mkg to total 135.63 mkg.
Only Bangladesh (0.94 mkg) and Indonesia (0.70 mkg) have posted a marginal increase.
All other producing countries have recorded a lower production attributing adverse weather as the principal cause. Trading sources contend that most countries will not be able to recoup the loss in coming months which means the global tea bowl will be short by 60-65 mkg when the year ends.