India’s tea exports grow 2.85% to reach 257 million kg in FY 2024-25
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New Delhi: India’s tea exports rose by 2.85 per cent in the financial year 2024-25, reflecting sustained global demand for the country’s high-quality tea varieties, according to data released by the Tea Board.
Total exports grew from 250.73 million kilograms in 2023-24 to 257.88 million kilograms in the latest fiscal. The surge was driven largely by higher shipments from North India, which saw an 8.15 per cent rise in exports, from 149.05 million kilograms to 161.20 million kilograms.
Export value also improved, with the average price per kilogram increasing by 12.65 per cent to Rs 290.97, up from Rs 258.30 in the previous year, leading to higher realizations for producers.
On a calendar year basis, between January and December 2024, India exported 256.17 million kilograms of tea, registering a 10.57 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Exports from North India during this period stood at 155.49 million kilograms, while South India contributed 100.68 million kilograms, up by 10.28 per cent and 11.02 per cent respectively.
India ranks among the top five tea-exporting nations globally, accounting for about 10 per cent of the world’s total tea exports. Renowned for its premium varieties like Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri, India primarily exports black tea, which makes up around 96 per cent of the total shipments. Other popular exported varieties include green tea, masala tea, lemon tea, herbal tea, and regular tea.
The country exports tea to over 25 nations, with major markets including the UAE, Iraq, Iran, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
To boost the sector, the Indian government has implemented various initiatives aimed at enhancing production, building a distinctive global brand for Indian tea, and supporting workers and small growers.
Assam’s Assam Valley and Cachar, and West Bengal’s Dooars, Terai, and Darjeeling are the key tea-producing regions in the northeast. The southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka contribute about 17 per cent of total production.
Small tea growers (STGs) have become a significant force in the industry, now accounting for nearly 52 per cent of total tea output. There are currently around 2.3 lakh STGs active in the supply chain.
To support this segment, the Tea Board has facilitated the creation of 352 Self Help Groups (SHGs), 440 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and 17 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). These efforts are complemented by training sessions on quality plucking, rush crop management, and capacity building, along with financial assistance for procuring pruning machines and mechanical harvesters.
Mini tea factories have also been established to encourage entrepreneurship and create job opportunities for the youth.
The Indian tea industry directly employs approximately 1.16 million workers, with an equal number engaged indirectly, making it one of the country’s largest agro-based employers.
