India's tea exports surge 93 pc since FY2013-14 to Rs 8,719 crore: Piyush Goyal
New Delhi, May 21
India's tea exports have witnessed a remarkable growth of 93 per cent over the past decade, rising from Rs 4,509 crore in FY2013-14 to Rs 8,719 crore in FY2025-26, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.
Highlighting the growing global appeal of Indian tea on the occasion of International Tea Day, Goyal described tea as an emotion and said it remains deeply woven into the country's daily life, culture and traditions.
"Tea is an emotion. And on #InternationalTeaDay, there cannot be a better way to describe it! Across India, tea is more than just a beverage, it is a part of everyday life, conversations and traditions," Goyal said in a post on social media platform X.
"From the hills of Darjeeling to the valleys of Assam and the plantations of the Nilgiris, every region brings its own distinct flavour, aroma & character to a cup of tea!," he added.
The minister said Indian tea has steadily strengthened its presence in international markets over the years, supported by improving quality standards and sustained efforts to promote the country's rich tea heritage globally.
"Over the years, Indian tea has also strengthened its presence across global markets, driven by improving quality standards and the continued efforts of Tea Board Of India to showcase the richness of India's tea heritage to the world," the Union Minister stated.
Meanwhile, last year, Goyal informed that the Indian tea industry in the organised sector provides employment to about 12 lakh workers, and about 58 per cent of those are women.
"Women are leading the growth of India's tea sector. Our nation continues to make a mark globally with its aromatic teas and steady export rise," Goyal posted on X in June 2025.
In FY25, the total volume of tea exported stood at 263 million kg, while total value realised was Rs 7,818 crore (as per DGCIS data).
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from Assam, this is heartening to see! Our chai is world-class. But is the employment figure of 12 lakh workers really accurate? Many tea garden workers still live in poor conditions. Growth figures are nice, but what about their welfare? 🙏
Great to see Indian tea gaining ground internationally. I've tried Assam and Darjeeling - the quality is unmatched. Hope the US market gets more of the Nilgiri varieties. Could be a big opportunity for specialty tea cafes in the West!
Chai is life! ☕ But 93% growth in value - is that adjusted for inflation? The volume is 263 million kg, which is good, but exports could be even higher if we improved processing standards. Some countries still prefer Kenyan tea for consistency. Achiye, we can do better!
Love that 58% of tea workers are women! 💪 But are they getting fair wages and maternity benefits? The plantation sector in West Bengal has a history of labour issues. Let's celebrate the numbers but also push for ethical production practices.
Excellent progress! I recently visited the Tea Board's exhibition in Delhi - they're doing great work promoting GI tags for regional teas. The single-estate teas from Munnar are gaining popularity in Japan. We should push for more organic certification to tap the premium market. 🍵
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