Pakistan has experienced a substantial 44.6% year-on-year surge in tea imports, totaling Rs. 79.81 billion from July to November in FY2023-24, compared to Rs. 55.2 billion in the same period last year.
The country imported 116,407 tons of tea during this period, reflecting a 15.6% increase from 100,680 tons in the corresponding period.
Tea imports in November saw a notable 23.9% YoY growth but registered a 6.7% month-on-month decline, amounting to Rs. 16.4 billion compared to October 2023.
Despite a global decrease in average tea prices over the past five months, Pakistan’s tea imports in dollar value rose by only 11%. The 44% increase in rupee value is primarily attributed to significant currency devaluation over the year.
Pakistan continues to maintain its status as the world’s largest tea importer, having brought in 231,449 tons of tea valued at Rs. 139 billion or approximately $500 million during FY23.
While the government has actively pursued initiatives to cultivate tea domestically in the Mansehra region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, substantial results from these efforts are yet to materialize.
