India to study potential of new markets for tea exports

COONOOR

India is encouraging tea exports to explore new markets as shipments to Iran is hit by the war.

Amit Kumar, Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, told The Hindu on Wednesday that the government is focusing on markets such as Oman that is increasing its purchase of Indian tea. “We are analysing the data. There is substantial increase in export of tea to Oman (from India).”

When asked about the increase in import of tea and the concerns raised by the planters in this regard, he said the focus is on increasing exports to diverse markets and creating new markets for the exporters.

According to data shared by the United Planters Association of Southern India, India exported 153.24 million kg of tea between January and July last year and it declined 16.11 % to 128.56 million kg between January and June this year. India imported 15.1 million kg of tea between January and June 2026 as against 10 million kg during the same period last year.

Ajoy Thipaiah, outgoing president of UPASI, said at its annual meeting at Coonoor on Wednesday, “This renewed inflow of imported tea is a matter of concern for the domestic industry and calls for appropriate remedial measures to safeguard the interests of Indian tea producers.”