Nepal’s tea export increases

By Kokila Dhakal,Ilam, May 24: Nepali Orthodox tea, which is an export item of Nepal, has shown good signs in the international market this year. 

Tea industrialists have said that the export of the tea from the first flush has also shown good this year.

According to the tea entrepreneurs, the tea produced from the first flush n all tea industries in Ilam has been exported to the third countries, including India. 

Tank Dahal, owner of Greenhill Tea Industries in Sankhejung, said that he has exported 8,000 kilograms of tea from first flush.  "This year, I exported first flush tea to India. All other industries have also exported," he said.

"Due to the decrease in tea production in Darjeeling this year, the demand for Nepali tea is also good in India," he added.

According to Dahal, tea traders have started coming to Nepal from the third countries, including India to purchase tea. He said that he exported around 55,000 kilos of prepared tea abroad last year.

Meanwhile, the Jasbire Tea Industry in Jasbire, Ilam, which was destroyed by fire, has also produced and sold first flush tea. 

The factory, which resumed production after preparing a new structure after the fire, has exported the tea produced this year, said proprietor of the industry Sharad Subba. 

Although the first flush tea production was not as per the desire due to insufficient rain in the winter, the production of green tea from the second season (from Jestha), is good, Subba said.

Looking at the export situation of Nepali tea, this year will be better than last year, he said. 

According to Mechi Customs Office, Kakarvitta, Jhapa, a 46 per cent increase in the export of tea was noticed during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.

According to chief of statistics section of customs office Prakash Chhetri, tea worth Rs. 3.68 billion was exported by mid-May 2025 of the current fiscal year 2024/25.

During this period, about 13,886 tonnes of tea have been exported. In the same period of the last fiscal year 2023/24, tea worth Rs. 2.52 billion was exported.