Tervil Okoko, PANA Correspondent

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) (Panafrican News Agency, December 23, 2000) - Tea exports earned Kenya a staggering 31.3 billion shillings (398 million dollars) from sales of 192.3 million kg of the refreshment.

According to the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), a total of 167.8 million kg of tea was traded at the popular port town of Mombasa auction in the January-November period.

This compares with 169.5 million kg sold during the same period last year. The KTB further notes that tea production in the month of November marginally surpassed last year's corresponding month production by 246,088 kilogrammes.

The production, the highest over the last five months, stood at over 24 million kg compared to 23.8 million kg produced during the same month last year. This represents a 1.03 percent increase.

The improved crop output is mainly attributed to the onset of short rains which were widespread in most parts of the tea growing areas, particularly the drought-hit east of Rift Valley regions.

The cumulative 11 months crop figure was 206.6 million kg compared to 221.6 million kg for the same period last year, says a TBK press release.

The shortfall of 15 million kg or 6.78 percent occurred during a year characterised by intermittent frost and drought in the tea growing regions.

Forecast by the TBK also indicates that tea production will gradually recover as conducive weather conditions continue to be experienced, as indicated by the month of November weather pattern.

TBK notes that tea-growing areas previously hit by frost and drought have experienced wet and warm weather conditions during the month of November.

Hailstorms caused considerable damage in parts of Kericho and, to a lesser extent, Nandi district.

"It is expected that (the month of) December will be a normal cropping month and if previous production levels are attained, the annual production level will be slightly above 230 million kg," KTB says.

In comparison with the same period last year, the KTB says the average tea prices have improved despite the shortfall in production.

Panafrican News Agency. Distributed by Allafrica Global Media (Allafrica.Com). (28/12/2000)

CALCUTTA

CTC tea continued to enjoy better demand at dearer rates for some varieties at the year's penultimate sale at Calcutta auction last week. The price levels of some teas were higher compared to those in the corresponding sale in 1999.

All CTC offerings from Assam appreciated in value, the smaller brokens substantially. Gujarat and Maharastra operated with strength for the goodliquoring tea with good support from the major blender.

Other internal markets were active with the buyers for the C I S preferring bolder brokens.

Good Assam brokens sold between Rs 86 and Rs 108 per kg against Rs 82 and Rs 90 in the corresponding sale last year. Good Dooars sold between Rs 56 and Rs 70 and Cachar brokens between Rs 46 and Rs 54 per kg. The offerings consisted of 55,002 chests.

Darjeeling tea saw good demand, the whole leaf grades being dearer with quality while improved brokens met with an irregularly dearer market, the remainder being firm.

Well-made fannings were firm to dearer. The major blender made good enquiry with some support from the Continental countries and other exporters for whole leaf varieties, the local traders being active for inproved brokens and fannings. The offerings amounted to 5,237 chests.

Nearly 45 per cent of Darjeeling tea sold at prices above Rs 125 per kg. In the orthodox tea sale there was good demand, clean and well-made whole leaf and brokens being firm to dearer and the remainder selling at around last levels. The stalkier varieties were easier and better fannings firms to dearer.

The major blender remained selective while the buyers for Western Asia and the CIS were active. The local traders operated for the cheaper brokens and fannings.

Good Assam whole leaf sold between Rs 125 and Rs 160 per kg against Rs 100 and Rs 135 in the corresponding sale last year. The offerings amounted to 15,974 chests.

Dust tea met with better demand, all varieties being irregularly dearer. The major blender and Tata Tea lent good support while Gujarat and Maharastra preferred the liquoring tea with good enquiry from other internal markets.

Good Assam dust sold between Rs 84 and Rs 102 and good Dooars between Rs 50 and Rs 60 per kg. The offerings amounted to 21,377 chests.

Meanwhile in Siliguri, strong demand prevailed for CTC tea on offer. Good and best brokens were absorbed at irregular rates while fannings and the secondaries followed a similar trend.

The major blender was selective and the internal packeteers remained active for the grainy sorts. Gujarat and Maharastra lent support to betterliquoring tea with North India remaining active.

Other intenal dealers made good enquiry. The buyers for the CIS and Poland remained quiet. The offerings amounted to 59,261 chests.

In Guwahati, there was strong demand for CTC tea at dearer rates. All clean and better medium Assam tended dearer. A small weight of Cachar tea also saw good demand at dearer levels.

The major blender and other packeteers operated for the medium and better medium tea with competition from north and western India. Cachar tea was well supported by the buyers from north India. The offerings amounted to 103,744 chests.

Clean and liquoring Assam dust tea was firm to dearer. The few brown sorts were irregular around last levels and tended dearer. The major blender and Tata Tea were active while W India picked up the liquoring lines. Other intenal markets made fair enquiry. The offerings amounted to 37,315 chests.

The Economic Times -India (27/12/2000)

by PANEETHA AMERESEKERE

This year will be a record one for tea exports both in quantity and rupee value, an Asia Siyaka report said. Quantity shipped should exceed 275 million kilos as against 269 kgs in 1999.

They forecast that the rupee earnings will exceed Rs 50 billion. "1998 earnings reached a record Rs 50.2 billion or US$ 780 million and declined to US$ 621 million last year. This year we estimate a figure of around US$ 770 million," it said.

The export of tea in value added form has declined steadily over the last five years. Exports in this form have increased marginally to 37% from 36% YOY, but is much lower than 46% achieved in 1996. The key issue is declining packeted tea shipments which are unlikely to reach the quantity of 94 million kg recorded that year. Tea in bulk constituted 65% of exports, packeted tea 27% and tea in bags 4%. There are no records of instant tea or green tea exports from Sri Lanka.

Russia/CIS continues as the prime destination for the sixth consecutive year, having taken up 21% of all exports.

The UAE which has developed into a major regional hub comes second with an absorption of around 15%.

Significant increases in exports have been achieved to Iran (25%), Egypt (30%) and Japan (45%). Shipments to Turkey have declined following a re-routing of some exports to the CIS.

The present year has been dubbed as one of the worst in the industry's history and many believe if the situation does not improve soon, the next year could become more harrowing.

THe HIndustan Times -India (23/12/2000)