Nilgiris Tea Production Decline 5.2pc - July 9, 2009

Coonoor: Nilgiris June tea crop has declined compared to June last year because of low rainfall, but cumulative output in the first half of calendar 2008 was more than the corresponding period of last calendar, according to UPASI Tea Research Foundation. Production in its member estates during January-June rose to 8.10 million kgs from 6.34 million kgs last year.

The five-year average output was 7.23 million kgs. The production will have been still higher had it not been for a 5.2 per cent down recorded in June over last year. Crop was low in the south-west monsoon zones of Kundah and Udhagamandalam. Kotagiri zone also recorded a low production.