Himalayan Orthodox Tea Producer’s Association of Nepal is planning to export organic tea to three new countries- China, USA, and Russia - within a month. “Export to these countries is the result of high demand of Nepali Tea there,” said Kamal Raj Mainali, Treasurer at the Association. He further informed that the tea is currently being exported to these places as a test. “We are planning to commercially export within a month,” he said. Nepali organic tea is currently exported to Germany, France, Czech Republic, Japan and some other countries.
Under the testing phase, four tea industries are exporting around seven quintals of tea monthly. Kanchanjangha Tea Estate, Himalayan Shangri-la Tea Producers, Gorkha Tea Estate and Guranse Tea Estate are exporting organic tea commercially. Mainali also shared that business representatives of respective countries are planning to visit Nepal for observation of Nepali tea industry. According to Mainali, all tea industries established for organic tea production still do not possess organic certificate. Countries like the USA, Japan and Australia among others have been providing certification. The association said that 16 industries are currently in the line of producing organic tea while only four industries have received organic certification. According to Mainali, in order to acquire organic certification, one industry must add about Rs 1.5 to 2 million investment. This year, Himalayan Shangri-la Tea Producers acquired ‘organic certification’, said Mainali, who is also the Director of the company. Previously, Kanchanjangha Tea Estate, Gorkha Tea State and Guranse Tea Estate had acquired organic certification.
‘A’ grade tea produced in Nepal is exported to third countries. The Association has informed that 300,000 kg of organic certified tea is produced annually in Nepal. “The demand for such tea in abroad is still high,” Mainali said. He further added, “Nepali companies are not being able to produce tea to meet the demand.” Tea industrialists say highly advanced technologies and skills are required for organic tea production in Nepal.
