PRODUCTION -- 17:

GLOBAL BLACK TEA OUTPUT IN 2016 UP 3.65 PER CENT

P S SUNDAR

Global black tea production has increased by 3.65 per cent in calendar 2016 over 2015.

“Our compilation of the official data received from various producing countries shows that the total black tea production in 2016 rose to 2181.78 million kg (mkg) from 2104.87 mkg in 2015.   This increase of 76.91 mkg marked a growth of 3.65 per cent”, Rajesh Gupta, compiler of Global Tea Digest 2016 told me.

The highest increase of 72.01 mkg came from Kenya with its production rising to 471.22 mkg.  Favourable climate conducive for increased harvest helped the output to rise significantly.

India continued to top the black tea table as its production rising to an all-time high of 1239.15 mkg, up by 30.49 mkg.   Here, North India produced 45.85 mkg more to reach 1026.94 mkg, while South India’s output declined by 15.36 mkg to dip to 212.21 mkg due to prolonged dryness.  

Bangladesh posted an increase of 16.34 mkg to reach 82.68 mkg.

These increases were large enough to offset the sharp decline of 36.48 mkg in Sri Lanka to dip to 289.61 mkg.  Adverse weather pulled down harvest in many regions for most part of the year.

Uganda and Tanzania also posted a lower production due to unfavourable climatic conditions.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)