World tea production hit record high in 2003 – UN report

World tea production last year reached a record 3.15 million tons, 75, 000 tons more than in 2002, largely due to favourable weather conditions, according to a report released today by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Programme (FAO).

World tea production last year reached a record 3.15 million tons, 75,000 tons more than in 2002, largely due to favourable weather conditions, according to a report released today by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

India accounted for the lion’s share at 27.4 per cent, followed by China with 24.6 per cent, Sri Lanka with 9.75 per cent and Kenya with 9.4 per cent.

Despite the record production, prices stood firm. The FAO composite price averaged $1.48 per kilo from January to June 2003 and increased to an average of $1.55 per kilo in the second half of the year as a result of seasonal variation.