Prospects of Indian Tea Industry

Tea is globally one of the most popular and lowest cost beverages, next only to water. The major tea producer countries are India, China, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Viet Nam. Total tea production in world has exceeded over 4 billion kgs, where, India alone produce about one billion kg of tea and recognised as one of the leaders in world tea production. In India, tea is growing in 16 states, of which North-East India accounts for about 3/4th of total tea production. Tea exports from India during 2010-11 were estimated to 213.79 million kgs valued at Rs. 2995.79 crore. But, there is a stagnation position in tea export as the more and more competition from Kenyan and Sri Lankan tea, which are cheaper and at par in quality as of most of Indian tea. The potential of domestic market should be utilised to because India is the biggest consumer of tea, but per capita tea consumption in India is very low comparing to the other countries. Popularity of organic tea will also serve a tool to help Indian tea industry to come into the competition in International market.