US

Total tea output in India is expected to surpass one billion kg in 2011 according to industry experts. This would mark a new high for Indian tea manufacturers. The highest production ever recorded in India was reached in 2008, when total output rose to just a little short of a billion, surpassing 984 million kilograms. Yet, if the latest figures released by the Indian Tea Association (ITA) are correct, tea production in August was higher by 33 million kilograms and should the trend continue unabated, the 2008 record is very likely to be broken.

Tea consumption in India usually shows an average increase by 30 million kilograms every year, however, production fell to 966 million kilograms in 2010 because of pest infestations and unfavorable weather conditions. This resulted in a disparity between consumption and production.  In spite of increased production, industry experts foresee the supply shortage to continue.
While India’s production is experiencing unprecedented growth, tea production around the world is down by approximately 23 million kilogram, except in China, where production green tea rose by 28 million kilogram this year.