Rupee appreciation affects tea exports: Association

Kochi, Sep 7 (UNI) Rupee appreciation against the US Dollar has adversely affected tea exports and put the south Indian tea at a price disadvantage of ten to 15 per cent in international markets, Tea Buyers Association President Krishnakumar J Shah said today.

In a statement here, Mr Shah said export realisation in tea had come down due to rupee rise, higher interet rates and increase in freight charges.

The concessions given by the Centre were not adequate to overcome the situation, he added.

Mr Shah said the association had raised the matter with the Union Commerce Ministery seeking appropriate steps to compensate the loss sustained by tea export trade on rupee appreciation.

UNI