According to the Indian Tea Board, India has become the second-largest tea exporter in the world in 2024 surpassing Srilanka.

About Tea Production

• Tea is a beverage made from the Camellia sinensis plant.
• Origin: Tea is believed to have originated in ancient China, northeastern India, and north Myanmar.
• International Tea Day: Celebrated on May 21 every year, as designated by the UN General Assembly in 2019.
• Growth Conditions for Tea
  • Climate: Tea is a tropical and subtropical plant that thrives in hot and humid conditions.
  • Temperature: The ideal temperature range for tea cultivation is 20°C to 30°C.
    • Temperatures above 35°C and below 10°C are harmful to tea bushes.
  • Rainfall: Tea requires 150-300 cm of annual rainfall, which should be well-distributed throughout the year.
  • Soil: The most suitable soil for tea cultivation is slightly acidic soil without calcium, with a porous subsoil that allows free water percolation.
  • Humidity: Relative humidity should be around 80% most of the time and should never drop below 40%.
  • Frost: The cultivation area should not be prone to frost.
• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
  • Darjeeling Tea, also known as the “Champagne of Teas” worldwide due to its flowery scent, was the first product in India to receive a GI tag.
  • Other two variants of Darjeeling Tea, Green Tea and White Tea also hold GI tags.
• Production In India: India is the second-largest producer of tea globally, following China.
• It is the largest producer of black tea in the world.
• Major Production Areas:
  • Assam accounts for 55% of India’s total tea production with plantations in Assam Valley and Cachar.
  • West Bengal is another major tea-producing state with tea plantations in Dooars, Terai, and Darjeeling.
  • The southern region of India contributes 17% to the country’s total tea production, with Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka being the key producing states.

• Consumption: India is one of the world’s top tea-consuming countries.
  • 80% of India’s tea production is consumed domestically.

Tea Export Milestone of India

• In 2024, India’s tea exports reached 255 million kg, surpassing Sri Lanka and ranking second after Kenya.
  • This marks the highest export volume in a decade.
• Types of Tea Exported:
  • Black tea accounts for 96% of total tea exports.Other exported varieties include regular, green, herbal, masala, and lemon tea.
• India’s Share in Global Tea Exports: India contributes approximately 10% of total world tea exports.
• Key Driver for Export Growth: A significant rise in shipments to West Asia, particularly Iraq, which now accounts for 20% of India’s tea exports.
• Export Destinations: India exports tea to over 25 countries, including the UAE, Iraq, Iran, Russia, the US, and the UK.