- About 12 lakh (1.2 million) people are employed in the organized sector of the Indian tea industry
- Approximately 58% of this workforce is made up of women
- Among India's organized industries, the tea industry continues to employ a significant number of women
According to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's statement on Thursday, the organized Indian tea industry employs about 12 lakh people, with women making up roughly 58 percent of the workforce. "The expansion of India's tea industry is being driven by women. Through its fragrant teas and consistent export growth, our country continues to leave its mark on the world stage," he posted on social media platform X.
India shipped 263 million kg of tea in FY25, which earned the country ₹7,818 crore, according to DGCIS data. Tea exports grew 10.8 percent to $0.92 billion from $0.83 billion in the last year, according to Commerce Ministry data. Tea exports also reached a 10-year peak in 2024 at 255 million kg, despite the turmoil of global markets caused by geopolitical tensions.
India exports tea to more than 25 nations, which include the UAE, Iraq, Iran, Russia, the USA, and the UK. India is one of the top five world tea exporters, with nearly 10 percent contribution to world tea exports. Black tea constitutes 96 percent of all exports, and then comes green, herbal, masala, and lemon teas.
There are efforts to strengthen production of tea, promote a worldwide brand for Indian tea, and promote the well-being of tea-producing communities. The major tea-growing areas are Assam (Assam Valley, Cachar), West Bengal (Dooars, Terai, Darjeeling), and states in the south such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, which together account for approximately 17 percent of overall output. India's tea value chain now comprises close to 2.3 lakh small tea growers.
