India likely to produce over 1,000 million kg of tea

New Delhi, May 10 : India is likely to cross the 1,000-million-kg mark in tea production this financial year and exports of the commodity are expected to grow by 5-10 percent, Tea Board of India Chairman Basudeb Banerjee said here Monday.

"For this financial year, we expect the production to be 1,000 million kg or it can be even more than that," Banerjee told IANS.

India is the world's largest tea grower. The country produced 960 million kg of tea in 2009-10 and the exports rose to 200 million kg during the period from 190 million kg in 2008-09.

"We expect a 5-10 percent growth in exports this year too. We hope to export 210-215 million kg of tea in 2010-11," he said.

On the outlook on tea prices, he said: "The prices of tea will remain stable. I don't see any major ups and downs coming in."

He said the tea industry in India is in "a better position today" compared to last year and is aiming at "long-term sustainability".

"Last year, the government supported the tea growers under the Vishesh Krishi Programme which we really appreciate. Right now, the tea industry is in a better position. We don't need any further help from the government," he said when asked whether the industry wants extension of sops provided by the government.