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    India eyes Kazakhstan, other CIS countries for tea exports

    Synopsis

    India exported 46.92 million kg of tea to the region during April-January 2017-18, down from 49.63 million kg in the previous year, even as the total imports in the region went up

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    Small tea growers to be part of delegation that will attend a two-day meet in Almaty
    India is sharpening its focus on Kazakhstan and other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries to boost tea exports to one of the biggest importers of the beverage. For the first time, small tea growers have been brought on board an official promotional initiative as important stakeholders.

    A 22-member delegation headed by AK Ray, deputy chairman of the Tea Board of India, will attend a two-day session being organised by the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan's Almaty city from August 23 that will feature a buyer-seller meet, tea testing session, seminar and other business campaigns. Almaty is a major tea hub. The delegation will comprise small tea growers, along with representatives of organised gardens and tea brokers.

    “India, the world’s second largest tea producer, has high dependency on exports that keep it at the top of global tea exporters’ list. But, despite enjoying a nominal overall growth during 2017-18, its exports to the world’s largest tea importing sector comprising CIS countries like Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, witnessed a noticeable decline,” said Ankit Lochan, a veteran tea exporter.

    India exported 46.92 million kg of tea to the region during April-January 2017-18, down from 49.63 million kg in the previous year, even as the total imports in the region went up. “We must regain that (earlier volume),” said Lochan.

    Kazakhstan produces about 20,000 MT of tea per annum, but consumes over 60,000 MT. That makes it among the world’s largest importers and an important market for India.

    “Organised promotional activity and trade interaction at Kazakhstan can significantly help us regain our position there,” said a Tea Board official.

    Small tea growers, who contribute more than 45% to India’s tea output, will be part of such a delegation for the first time. “We are too happy to be part of an official team like this for the first time,” said Bijoy Gopal Chakroborty, president, Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Association, the apex body of small tea growers in the country.


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