Tea production in the country reduced in 2005. As of November Azerbaijan picked 700 tons of tea-leaves or 200 tons less as compared 2004, The Agriculture Ministry told Trend.
Crop capacity reduced from 2.7 centners per hectare to 1.8 centners per hectare in this season. The decrease is related to drought. The picking of green tea started in mid-May is over.
The tea-plantation comprises 3,600 hectares with 1,900 hectares falling to Lankaran, 1,350 - Astara, 200 - Masalli, the rest - Lerik and Zagatala. 16 tea factories currently function in the country with 14 factories specialized in initial refinement and 2 - packing.
Separate farmers, cultivated green tea, conclude contracts with the factories.