Iran Tea Organization shares data on tea exports/imports

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 31

By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:

Iran's tea exports amounted to about 7,000-8,000 tons during the first five months of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through August 22, 2021), the Chairman of the Iran Tea Organization, Habib Jahansaz told Trend.

Jahansaz emphasized that Iranian tea has been exported to Caspian littoral states, including Azerbaijan, as well as, the countries around the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and some EU member countries.

“Furthermore, Iran imported about 14,000 tons of tea over the reporting period. About 40 percent of the tea has been imported from India, 20 percent from Sri Lanka, and the rest from other countries,” he added.

The chairman noted that Iran's annual tea consumption is about 100,000 tons. Thus, about 70,000 tons of tea are imported to Iran annually.

According to Jahansaz, Iran is estimated to harvest 135,000-140,000 tons of tea leaves and produce 32,000 tons of dry tea.

“Tea production in Iran from the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2021) to August 31, has increased by 19 percent, compared to the same period last Iranian year. So, a total of 120,500 tons of tea leaves were purchased from farmers in Iran within the mentioned period and 27,133 tons of dry tea were produced,” he said.

The chairman stressed 76 percent of the money for purchased tea has been paid to farmers so far.

As reported, the price of first-grade tea leaves is 66,900 rials (about $1.59), and the second-grade tea leaves are 44,800 rials (about $1.06) in this season.

Iran's tea exports amounted to 5.82 million tons worth $5.63 million in the four months of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through July 22, 2021).

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