March 28, 2006	Tuesday	Safar 27, 1427

KOLKATA, March 27: Tea exports from India, the world’s largest producer, fell 29 per cent in January to 11.17 million kg from 15.83 million kg in the same month a year ago, the state-run Tea Board said on Monday.

But officials said they expected sales to improve over the next few months spurred on by higher production, greater overseas demand and falling output from leading competitor Kenya.

India’s tea production in January rose nine per cent from a year ago to 23.95 million kg, the officials said.—Reuters