KOCHI: Emphasis should be on increasing production of ‘orthodox tea’ in order to boost tea exports from the country, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said today.
Pointing out that orthodox tea constituted only about 10 per cent of India’s tea production, the rest being CTC, the minister said, “if India’s share in global tea exports had to be raised, production of orthodox tea would have to be increased”.
Addressing reporters at the Bolgatty island here, Ramesh said for increasing production of orthodox tea, Tea Board has been asked to revise the existing incentive scheme after consultation with the industry.
“I have asked for suggestion from industry association and the Tea Board will look at the various incentive schemes required to increase the production of orthodox tea’.
Ramesh said India, currently produces about 80 million kilograms of orthodox tea, which would go up to 120 million kg in the next five years. Countries like Russia, Germany and England are the major markets of the orthodox tea.
Pointing out that India’s most significant success last year was the increased exports to Pakistan, he said adding exports to that country was 16 million kg, out of which 13 million kg was south Indian tea.
Tea Board would also lead a delegation to Pakistan from April 14 to 21 to consolidate the success, he said.
However, India did not export much to Egypt in 2005.
Egypt is the second thrust market for India after Pakistan, he said adding “we are in the final stages of opening a Tea Marketing Centre in Cairo, which is expected to come up in the next three months”.
