Nepal exported tea worth Rs 3.57 billion by mid-April in the current fiscal year 2024/25.

The National Tea and Coffee Development Board expects tea exports to reach Rs 4.5 billion by the end of this fiscal year.

Board official Chandra Puri said Nepal's tea sector has created around 60,000 jobs. He added that the country has 171 tea estates and 120 small and medium-sized tea processing centers.

According to Puri, tea cultivation covered 20,760 hectares across the country in fiscal year 2023/24, producing 27 million kilograms of processed tea. Nepal currently has 15,203 tea farmers.

Puri also informed that Nepal exported 16.5 million kilograms of tea worth Rs 3.63 billion in the previous fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the Board is organizing a tea exhibition today, April 28, at Harihar Bhawan in Pulchowk to mark the 29th National Tea Day. The event aims to promote Nepali tea in international markets.

Puri said representatives of tea farmers, workers, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, businesses, and concerned organizations would participate in discussions during the exhibition, where tea from various districts will be showcased.

This year's National Tea Day is being celebrated under the theme 'Healthy Tea, Sustainable Market, Foundation of Prosperous Nepal.' -- RSS