WHY MANY COUNTRIES ARE SENDING BACK INDIAN TEA SUPPLIES? THE REASON WILL SHOCK INDIAN TEA LOVERS

Bhubaneswar (The quiver) : Indian tea is rooted inside soul of Indians . Every Indian swears by his Country’s authentic tea taste , claims Indian tea is unbeatable in the entire world. India is popular for its tea quality in worldwide. Many foreign countries import tea from India but why Indian tea supplies are rejected in foreign market? Both international and domestic buyers have rejected a series consignments claiming the the presence of pesticides and chemicals in Indian tea is beyond permissible limits.

Indian Tea Exporters Association (ITEA) chairman Anshuman Kanoria  reported about this. “All teas sold in the country must conform to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms. However, most of the buyers are purchasing tea that have unusually high chemical content”, Mr Kanoria told PTI.

Many countries are following strict entry regulations for tea. Most of the countries follow variations of the EU standards, which are more stringent than the FSSAI rules.

According to allegations of Kanoria ,”Instead of complying with the law, many are urging the government to make the FSSAI norms more liberal,” he said, adding that this would send a wrong signal as the beverage is considered to be a health drink.

Perhaps India is going through its best times when it can make maximum profit in the global market by filling up the vacuum created by neighbour Sri-Lanka (due to economic collapse). Tea Board is eyeing to ramp up exports. However, the rejection of consignments is causing a decline in outward shipments.

In 2021, India exported 195.90 million kg tea of worth Rs 5,246.89 crore .The major buyers were Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nations and Iran. The board is aiming to achieve 300 million kg tea this year. If this issue is not looked upon strictly in India. Soon India will be losing its reputation in global market.