India’s tea output reached a record high in 2016-17 rising by 1.4 % to 1,250.5 million kilogrammes, despite a 7.7 % drop in South Indian tea crop, according to the Tea Board of India.
The small tea sector now accounts for 44% of the output.
“Tea Board has finalised the production of tea in India for 2016-17.. tea production has reached highest-ever in Indian tea industry,” the regulator said in a statement on Friday. South Indian tea output dropped by 17.2 million kilogrammes with Tamil Nadu suffering a 11% lower crop.
North Indian tea production increased by 3.4%, with West Bengal being a major contributor with an 8.4% increase to the total output. Total output from North India was 1043.1 million kilogrammes. The increase came during June, September and November as compared to the same period in 2015-16.
Assam and some of the North eastern states account for 50% of the crop, followed by West Bengal which contributes about 25%. South accounts for a quarter of the output. A clearer picture of the production share of the small tea growers emerged in 2016-17 following new norms for filing information.
