The Hindu Business Line : Tea exports to Pak, Iraq likely to rise

TEA exports to Iraq and Pakistan are expected to go up in the coming months following return of some normalcy in Iraq and signs of improvement in trade relations with Pakistan.

A Pakistan trade delegation is scheduled to visit south India from September 25 to October 2. "Tea exports to Pakistan is expected to get a boost after the visit," Mr N. Dharmaraj, Chairman, UPASI Tea Committee told Business Line.

The delegation comprising of nine leading buyers from Pakistan would visit the planting districts of Nilgiris, Annamalais, High Ranges and Vaniperiyar, he said. They will also meet the local exporters and traders both in Coimbatore and Cochin.

Tea exports to Pakistan during January-June 2003 stood at 1.52 million kg valued at Rs 6.52 crore as against 1.45 million kg worth Rs 7.93 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Ever since the worsening of relations between the two countries, tea exports had dropped substantially.

Meanwhile, exports of tea to Iraq were also receiving the much needed boost and another 4 million kg was expected to be cleared in November, Mr Dharmaraj said.

Although part of this pertains to pre-war orders, much of this quantity is consequential to recent orders directly from Iraq and also through other stations. During January - June, exports to Iraq had been less than one million kg compared to 15 million kg during the same period last year, he said.

With the opening up of the markets in CIS countries and the consequent change in consumer preference, exports of Indian tea to these markets have shown a decline. As against 28.08 million kg valued at Rs 197.77 crore in January - June 2002, exports in January - June 2003 stood at 23.93 million kg valued at Rs 171.05 crore.

Exports to the Russian Federation, the major market amongst the CIS countries, dropped from 23.07 million kg to 17.17 million kg in January-June 2003. The unit price during this period was Rs 71.48 per kg as against Rs 70.43 per kg in the same period last year.

"A boost in exports is badly needed," he said. During January - July 2003 exports from north India were down from 44 million kg to 38 million kg while exports from the south dipped from 55 million kg to 34 million kg. Total exports of tea from the country during January - June 2003 stood at 57.15 million kg valued at Rs 534.41 crore as against 79.32 million kg worth Rs 679.55 crore in the same period of 2002, he added.

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