The tea industry of India is expecting a decline in exports of 30-40 million kg this year compared to 2020. There is competition from low-cost varieties in the global market plus trade restrictions in countries that have traditionally been strong importers. The economic downturn in much of the world caused by Covd-19 is also a factor for falling shipments.
Between January to March this year, exports fell by 13.23 per cent against the corresponding period a year ago, and by 29.03 per cent compared to 2019.
45.86 million kg tea in total was exported from India between January to March in 2021. The figure was 52.85 million kg in 2020 and 64.62 million kg in 2019.