India

The Tea Board of India has released figures indicating that from January to October India’s output in 2009 dropped to 830.4 million kg from 2008’s 832.5 million kg, while exports fell 12% to 150 million kg during the same period.

Top-quality Assam tea saw its price increase by about 50% in 2009 over 2008, to Rs130/kg (US$2.81). Analysts believe the price could edge even higher in 2010.

Kenya

Mombasa tea auctions saw prices rise to a record US$3.12/kg in 2009. Kenyan tea production fell 9% to 278 million kg in the first 11 months of the year, according to the Tea Board of Kenya.

Sri Lanka

Tea production of 263.8 million kg from January to November, 2009, represented a 12% drop compared to the same period in 2008, according to the Sri Lanka Tea Board.