Tea Industry

Exports gained when production in troubled island nation dropped sharply in 2022; to maintain that momentum as its competitor bounces back, domestic industry's challenge will be to focus on quality

Sri Lanka crisis, sanctions on Russia that made sourcing from other countries difficult help domestic industry post better numbers

The downward trend in total demand and total offerings was in evidence once again for all categories of tea during Sale-05, a Calcutta Tea Traders Association (CTTA) official said. The auction was held on February 1 and 2 and the market witnessed a lack of demand, he said on Saturday. The total demand declined further by 28.56 per cent during this auction, he added. According to CTTA official data, the total offerings amounted to 1,14,970 packages (33,17,286 kg) comprising 53,418 packages of CTC leaf, 38,952 packages of orthodox, 1,293 packages of Darjeeling leaf and 21,307 packages of dust tea. CTC leaf met with fair demand at lower price level and a total of 12,13,470 kg of different categories was sold at an average price of Rs 152.88 per kg. Around 61.41 per cent of the total demand was witnessed for CTC leaf at below Rs 150 per kg price level and only 3.68 per cent was marked at above Rs 250 per kg level, it revealed. Western India operated on liquoring teas and other intern

According to the Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA)'s principal advisor S. Mukherjee, the tea sector was probably the only industrial segment which was not spared even a word as regards to any industry

Darjeeling tea with its bright metallic colour was the first product of the country to be awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) trademark in 2004

The tea industry has been no exception to the ravages of the Covid pandemic over the last two years, as it grapples with low prices and high input costs, with stakeholders calling for more focus on quality and boosting exports. Production, too, has seen a decrease in the last few years since the onset of the pandemic due to restrictions on plucking -- from 1,390 million kg in 2019 to 1,258 million kg in 2020, 1,329 million kg in 2021 and 1,050 million kg till October this year. According to industry experts, the fall in production had helped in higher price realisation at the auctions. Secretary General of Tea Association of India (TAI) Prabir Bhattacharya said though the average auction price touched Rs 206 per kg in 2020, it fell to Rs 190.77 per kg the following year. So far in 2022, the average price has been Rs 204.97 per kg, he said. The increase, however, is concomitant with rise in wages across north India, besides hike in the cost of energy, fertilisers and logistics, ...

The acquisition would give Dhunseri a bigger pie in Assam's tea market

The total demand for all categories of teas dropped by 10.35 per cent during Sale-47, Calcutta Tea Traders Association data (CTTA) said. Sale-47 was held from November 22 to 24. However, Darjeeling leaf scored a gain in demand during this week as compared to last auction, it said. According to CTTA officials, the total offerings amounted to 2,46,299 packages (included 71,22,834 kg) comprising 1,31,783 packages of CTC leaf, 72,850 packages of Orthodox, 3,417 packages of Darjeeling leaf and 38,249 packages of Dust teas. This week's CTC leaf saw a fair demand and 23,60,214 kg of different categories were sold at an average price of Rs 200.15 per kg. Most of the demand was marked between Rs 150 to Rs 200 per kg price level. Around 24.51 per cent was claimed at a lower price level while 19.06 per cent was demanded at higher price level. Western India supported well. Hindustan Unilever operated actively while TCPL remained selective. Exporters registered fair support. Orthodox leaf met

Signs deal with Dhunseri group for the last four estates it currently owns

Exports of tea from India increased by 14.8 per cent to 140.28 million kilograms in the first eight months of the 2022 calendar year, according to Tea Board data. Tea shipments during the January-August period in 2021 stood at 122.18 million kilograms (mkgs). The CIS countries, including Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, remained the largest importer of Indian tea with 30.56 mkgs in the first eight months of 2022, marginally higher than 29.13 mkgs shipped out to these nations in the year-ago period, the data said. Sources in the industry said that tea exports did not pick up substantially due to shipping and container costs which skyrocketed due to the war between Russia and Ukraine. After the CIS countries, UAE was the second largest importer at 23.84 mkgs, a rise of 157 per cent from 9.27 mkgs in the similar period in 2021. Owing to economic sanctions imposed by the US on Iran, tea shipments to the west Asian country also failed to increase in the first eight months of 2022. Expo

Revenues from operations at Rs 425.06 crore were lower by 13.93% from the same period last year

'Tea price trajectory of the last decade reflects a prolonged phase of stagnation in price growth which consequently pushed a large segment of the industry into crisis'

CMD Khaitan says banks have been very supportive and have come to a conclusion on what debt restructuring resolution should be

Carbon Resources has offered an upfront payment of Rs 1,245 crore of an estimated outstanding bank debt of Rs 1,650 crore

With a crop of 44 mkg across 31 estates in Assam and two in Dooars, McLeod is a Goliath in the world of tea. It has estates in Africa and Vietnam and its total output worldwide is 73 mkg

The would-be acquirer makes non-binding offer to banks to settle the bulk tea producer's dues

Liquidity challenges amid high wages, falling demand and prices are brewing trouble for the "champagne of the teas"

Data available on the Tea Board website showed that India's production in 2020-2021 had stood at 1,283.03 million kg and volumes at the auctions were around 547 mkg

"Our quick estimate indicates that the crop in June 2022 is lower by at least 20-25 per cent over June last year," said Sujit Patra, secretary, exports & market promotion, ITA.

India - which has just stepped into the quality period for orthodox - is reaping the benefits of the anticipated shortfall