Indian tea exports have increased by 8.67 percent in volume and 13.18 percent in value in the first half of the current fiscal year, on demand from countries such as the UAE and Iraq.
The export volume in the April-September period this year increased to 122.55 million kg (mkg), compared to 112.77 million kg a year ago. In value terms, shipments rose to ₹3,403.64 crore from ₹3,007.19 crore a year ago, according to the latest provisional data released by the Tea Board. The unit price realized by exporters rose 4.15 per cent to ₹277.73 per kg from ₹266.67 per kg.
Regionally, exports from northern India increased by 7.05 percent to 71.04 million kg during the first half of 2025 (66.36 million kg in the same period a year ago). In value terms, North Indian exports registered a 14.5 per cent increase to ₹2,261.91 crore (₹1,977.19 crore). Also, the unit price realized by north Indian exporters rose by around 7 per cent to ₹318.68 per kg (₹297.95).
Shipments from southern India increased by 11 percent in volume to 51.51 mkg (46.41 mkg). In value terms, exports rose 10.65 per cent to ₹1,139.73 crore (₹1,030 crore). However, the unit value of South Indian shipments remained almost stable at ₹221.26 per kg.
Iran via the UAE
“Markets that have grown this year include Iraq, the UAE and the US to some extent,” said Dipak Shah, chairman of the South India Tea Exporters Association. For Iran, the largest market, tea shipments could go through the UAE.
The UAE was the largest buyer of Indian tea in H1FY25, followed by the US, Iraq, Russia and the UK by value.
Shah said movement has been somewhat slow over the past month, which could be attributed to some large shipment volumes to Iraq coming to an end.
During the January-September period of calendar 2024, the export volume registered a growth of almost 18 percent to 190.08 mkg (161.26 mkg). In value terms, January-September exports rose 16.36 percent to ₹5,064.59 crore (₹4,352.62 crore). However, the unit price was slightly lower at ₹266.45 per kg (₹269.91) during this period.
