India Pips Sri Lanka To Become World’s 2nd Largest Tea Exporter

New Delhi: India has surpassed Sri Lanka to become the world’s second-largest exporter of tea with 255 million kg of tea exports in 2024, while Kenya has retained the top spot, according to data compiled by the Tea Board of India.

India’s tea exports touched a 10-year high at 255 million kg in 2024 despite the uncertainties in the global market triggered by geopolitical tensions.The country’s exports shot up by a robust 10 per cent during the year from the corresponding figure of 231.69 million kg recorded in 2023.

The value of India’s exports jumped by over 15 per cent to Rs 7,111 crore in 2024 from Rs 6,161 crore in 2023 as the prices were also higher during the year.There was a sharp increase in shipments to Iraq, accounting for 20 per cent of tea exports, and merchants are expecting to send 40-50 million kg to the west Asian country this fiscal, the report said.