Massive fall in Kenya’s production has pulled down the global black tea output in the first half of calendar 2017 by 3.15 per cent over 2016.

“Our compilation of the official data received from various countries showed that world black tea production in the first half of 2017 dropped to 842.82 million kg (mkg) from 870.27 mkg in the same months of 2016”, Rajesh Gupta, compiler of annual Global Tea Digest, told Business Line .

This fall of 27.45 mkg marked a decline of 3.15 per cent.

Kenya contributed significantly to the output loss. Following adverse weather, its production dropped to 200.91 mkg from 250.59 mkg. This loss of 49.68 mkg marked a decline of 19.83 per cent.

Bangladesh also lost a marginal 1.55 mkg to dip to 11.77 mkg.

“On the other hand, India posted an increase of 19.11 mkg or 4.51 per cent to produce 443.15 mkg Sri Lanka’s production increased by 2.98 mkg or 1.95 per cent to reach 155.49 mkg”, Rajesh Gupta said.

India topped the world black tea production table.

Nevertheless, the increase in India and other countries had not been adequate to offset the massive loss in Kenya and hence, there was an overall production shortfall in H1 of this calendar compared to H1 of 2016.

“Since India produces the same CTC variety of tea as Kenya does, India can enter the markets where there is shortage in Kenya tea. To that extent, Kenya’s loss may mean gain to us”, an exporter said

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