Tea Output Rises In March .

Tea production in March saw an upswing of around 16 per cent to 56.73 million kg compared with 49 million kg produced during the same period last year.

Exports, however, fell to 11.9 million kg from 23.49 million kg last year.

According to latest data published by the Tea Board, higher production was largely on the back of higher output in Assam.

Production in the Assam valley was 21.37 million kg against 12.67 million kg produced in March 2010. Cachar production was 2.2 million kg compared with 2.1 million kg last year. Total Assam tea production stood at 23.66 million kg in March against 14.8 million kg during the same period last year.

During March, Darjeeling produced 0.5 million kg, while the output in the Dooars and Terai stood at 7.6 million kg and 6.1 million kg, respectively. Total production in Bengal registered a minor dip at 14.36 million kg against 15 million kg during March 2010.

Exports showed a negative trend and almost halved in March. In the first quarter of this year, estimated exports tea are said to be 39.62 million kg. — 22.70 million kg from North India and 16.92 million kg from the southern part of the country. In the January-March quarter last year, exports had touched 53.99 million kg.

Source : telegraphindia.com