Tea

Area, production and productivity

India is the largest producer and consumer of tea in the world, which accounts for 27% of the world production and 13% of the World export. India is closely followed by China with 25% production, Kenya (10%) and Sri Lanka (9.5%). The other notable producers are Indonesia and Turkey with approximately 5 % share each. National area, production and productivity of tea are as given below.

Source: Economic Review 2005

Tea production in the state has been declining for the last six years from 68.9 m. kgs. in 2000 to 67 m. kgs. in 2005. Against the total area of 5.11 lakh ha under tea in the country Kerala accounts for only 0.35 lakh ha. In respect of production the share of Kerala is 7 per cent in 2006. There is fluctuation in production and it ranged from 64.8 m. kgs. in 1995-96, reaching to 69.1 m..kgs. in 2000-01 which declined to 53.6 m. kgs. in 2006-07. The area, production and productivity of tea from the state during 2001-02 to 2004-05 are presented below.

Source: Economic Review 2005, 2007

Last updated: 21-05-2008