INDIAN TEA 6 th Global Dubai Tea Forum April 2016.

TEA GROWING REGIONS OF INDIA – FROM THE HIMALAYAS TO THE NILGIRIS

FROM THE GIANTS OF OUR FREEDOM STRUGGLE & FOUNDING FATHERS OF OUR NATION…

TO MODERN DAY DEMOCRATIC INDIA…

WE ARE UNITED BY ONE DRINK - TEA

Tea – A New Beverage in an Ancient Land Tea was planted primarily to cater to the British tea drinking requirement. Circa 1885 India produced 32 m kgs and exported 31 m kgs primarily to the UK.

Tea – A Historical Perspective Tea is just a 180 year old drink in India. In 1823, a British explorer found tea plants growing in the hills of Assam. The British Govt. allowed the first experimental tea garden to be set up in 1837 with the Assam varietal. In 1839, the Govt. gave permission to 4 merchant houses for the cultivation of tea. These 4 houses formed the Assam Company in 1839, the world’s First Tea Company.

The origin of the Assam Company is closely linked with the evolution and development of the tea industry in the Indian sub-continent. The Company took over two thirds of the British Govts. experimental tea gardens & grew steadily with emphasis on quality. The first shipment of Indian tea was despatched in 1838 to Britain consisting of twelve packages of tea which belonged to the Assam Company.

ASSAM COMPANY – STEEPED IN HISTORY Not only was Assam Company the world’s first tea company, our founder Director was a pioneer of Indian industry – Prince Dwarkanath Tagore. He was the grandfather of the versatile genius, Rabindranath Tagore, to whom we owe our national anthem.

Indian Tea – Its Distinctive Origins ASSAM DARJEELING NILGIRIS

Until the 1950s, production was primarily leaf teas – Orthodox manufacture to cater for the British Milk has always been popular in India & efforts were on to manufacture tea which went well with milk. In 1930, William Mckercher invented the CTC machine. CTC tea mixed well with milk & it led to a spurt in tea drinking in India.

The Indian Tea Revolution. Cha; Chai The success of CTC tea led to full commercialization in the 1960’s as most estates started producing this form of tea.

“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING” Indian tea… Production – India produces 1207 kilos of Tea or 24% of the World Production. Consumption – India consumes appx 911 million kilos or 19% of the world consumption. Workers – 1.5 million workers are engaged in producing tea. (2014 Figures)

Crop-278 Crop-1191 The change in production & a growing Indian population altered the equation. India operates in a cocoon with international tea trends only marginally affecting price behaviour.

Changing equations of India Tea manufacture Rising domestic consumption has led to a new manufacturing sector – Bought Leaf Factories. Manufacture in 1985 Manufacture in 2015 Factories - 35% Estates - 65% Estates – nearly 95%

OPPORTUNITIES India’s growing population – primarily the youth – 50% of the country is under 25 years of age & 60% under 35 years of age! Developing variants from the traditional milk & sugar tea and tapping rising health awareness – Green Tea – Tea with infusions. Developing new forms of retail – tea cafes.

Challenges The increasing cost of producing tea – human hands engaged. Social responsibilities to our workers coupled with prices not rising as fast.

Challenges Global warming & Climate Change Artic Sea Ice September 1979 to September 2010

Challenges Residue Compliance – our tea is grown in the tropics – pest attacks further aggravated with climate change.

India – Eye of the Tea World Producers & Packeteers (leading international brands) are eyeing India for their future growth. India is estimated to become a net importer of tea. How India drinks tea significantly impacts the tea world. How we see 2016 – a year when QUALITY WILL PAY.

NAMASTE