South Asian Business news and information

Today, India is one of the largest producers and consumers of tea in the world. It produces 31% of the total tea in the world. Tea is one of the largest foreign exchange earners and source of government revenue in India.

In India, the states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh produce tea. The Darjeeling and Assam tea are world famous for their fine quality. 

Tea leaves are collected in two processes in India: CTC (Cut, Tear, Curl) and Orthodox method.

The tea industry is also the second biggest employer in India after Indian Railway. It employs more than 20 million people and half of the workforce is women.  

Tea in India is sold through six auction centers situated in Calcutta, Guwahati, Siliguri, Cochin, Coonoor, and Coimbatore.

There are 88,115 tea estates in India in total.

India mainly exports tea to Russia and CIS countries, USA, Japan, West Asia, Asia Pacific region, and European countries.

Between April-August of 2006, India produced 587.25 million kg. During the same period in 2005, it produced 571.14 million kg.

Useful links:

http://www.srilankabusiness.com/eresearch/pdf_files/presearch/Tea%20Report%20-%20October%202006.pdf

https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no28586.htm

http://www.swannteas.com/abouttea2.html

http://www.teaindustry.com/

http://www.teauction.com/industry/indiantea.asp