Parliament Question: Import and Export of Tea

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3934 ANSWERED ON 17/03/2026 IMPORT AND EXPORT OF TEA 3934. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL: Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased to state: (a) the total quantity of tea imported vis a vis the quantity re-exported during last three years, year-wise; (b) the reasons due to which out of 34 parameters set by FSSAI for tea, reportedly only 4 parameters are being checked before allowing the tea into India; and (c) the steps taken by the Government to check the menace of duplicate/fake Darjeeling tea or Himalayan Long Leaf tea which is adversely affecting the domestic Darjeeling Tea Industry? ANSWER वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a): The total quantity of tea imported and exported out of India during the last three years is attached as annexure-I. (b) & (c): Samples of imported tea are analyzed to verify with standards set by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) . For the purpose of testing, FSSAI has notified National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited Laboratories across the country. In this regard, there are 252 food testing laboratories for analysis of food samples and 24 Referral Food Laboratories, for the analysis of the samples and the samples are tested at FSSAI notified food testing laboratories for all quality and safety parameters applicable for the respective product. The imported consignments of tea are cleared subject to NOC provided by FSSAI. Tea Board has also taken several measures in respect of teas imported into the country which include as below: 1• A Notification dated 11.11.2021 was issued with a directive stating that imported tea must not be blended with GI teas, and if blending is done, the end product must not be claimed as GI tea. • Directives were issued to packers, requiring them to clearly indicate on the packaging that the blended tea contains imported ingredients. • Importers and exporters have been directed to mandatorily obtain clearance certificates from the Board’s Tea Council portal before importing or exporting tea, and the origin of the tea must be clearly mentioned on the tea packages. • The importers should notify, to the Board, the place of storage of the imported teas within 24 hours of import. The importers shall ensure that origin of the imported teas is mentioned in all sale invoices. • Process of conducting joint training sessions among between Tea Board, Customs and FSSAI were initiated to strengthen food import clearance procedures. ***** ANNEXURE-I Annexure referred to in reply to Part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3934 for answer on 17.03.2026 Period *Import **Export Qty (M.Kgs) Qty (M.Kgs) 2022-23 29.99 241.15 2023-24 25.21 260.64 2024-25 50.14 262.41 2025-26 (Apr- Jan) 33.55 245.76 *Data on Import includes re-import Source: DGCIS **Data on Export includes re-export 2