Nepal resumes exports of tea to India after a two-month suspension following changes to India’s import regulations. The restart begins after New Delhi eases the rules that had been introduced by the Indian Tea Board around May 1, which led to the halt in shipments. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal tells Nepal’s National Assembly that India reviewed its policy on tea imports from Nepal and allowed exports to continue. The government also notes that discussions with senior Indian officials took place during Khanal’s recent visit to India.
According to the Nepal Tea Association, exports resume as trucks carrying Nepalese tea consignments start moving toward India after the relaxation of testing requirements. Under the revised arrangement, Indian authorities conduct sampling tests on about 20% of consignments instead of testing every shipment, and collect samples from one out of every five trucks before export permits are issued, assuming the tea meets required standards. Nepal remains heavily reliant on the Indian market for tea exports, with most orthodox tea directed to India.
