WB tea exporters incur huge loss due to Iceland volcanic eruption

Siliguri, May 26 (ANI): Tea exporters in West Bengal's Siliguri District have incurred loss due to the eruption of Iceland's Grimsvotn volcano, as it has affected air traffic.

India is second in the world after China, which produces about 1000-1100 million kilograms of tea per year in the world market including Europe, Moscow, Russia, Poland and Germany. The total tea production of India is 975 million kilograms per year.

The volcano has led to the closure of a large section of European airspace and hence exporters are unable to sell tea abroad.

"This year the export of tea has lowered down, in CTC (crush-tear-curl) variety as well as orthodox variety. The main reasons are the tsunami that hit Japan, and now the eruption of Iceland's volcano" said Komal Kumar Tiwari, a tea exporter.

Ieland's most active Grimsvotn volcano erupted on May 21 sending ashes 20 kilometers into the air above southeast Iceland. (ANI)