NEW DELHI: Tea output in India rose by nine per cent in August to 134.37 million kg, ironically due to higher production in drought-hit Assam, though poor demand dragged down the export.
“The country produced 134.37 million kg in August mainly due to a rise in output in Assam against 123.10 million kg in the same month last year. Moreover, the output till August this year stood at 595.25 million kg against 599.73 million kg in the year-a go period,'' a senior official with state-owned Tea Board said.
Importantly, output in drought-hit Assam, which accounts for over half of the country's total tea production, rose by over five million kg in August to 82.92 million kg. The crop prospect looked up with late showers in some producing regions. Higher pro duction in southern part of the country, comprising Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka also contributed to the rise. However, tea export remained out of sync with output and declined to 18.72 million kg in August, compared with 21.41 million kg a year ear lier on poor demand, the official said.
The overseas shipment from January to August at 112.75 million kg, however, lagged the last year level of 130.72 million kg.
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