Tea import bill fallen by Rs 4cr

Coonoor: The country's tea import bill has declined by Rs 4 crore in the first five months of this calendar over the same period of last year. Between January and May, India paid Rs 36.74 crore to import tea against Rs 40.50 crore last year. The bill came down because of a marked decline in the volume imported. The volume declined because of a sharp increase in the price of the imported teas. Importers had to shell out Rs 75.11 a kg on the average against Rs 48.05 last year. Vietnam supplied its teas for an average price of Rs 33.31 a kg, but now, the price is ruling at Rs 50.31.