KOLKATA, July 18: Tea exports from India, the world's largest producer, rose 20.4 per cent in May from a year earlier, state-run Tea Board said on Tuesday, helped in part by some delayed orders from the previous month.

Exports rose to 14.07 million kg in May from 11.69 million kg in the same month last year, after dropping in April to 8.82 million kg from 9.56 million kg a year earlier.

With main rival Kenya still recovering from a drought, Tea Board officials expect India's exports to climb above 200 million kg in 2006, as the industry looks to make inroads in countries such as Pakistan and Egypt.

In 2005, exports had dropped by about 10 million kg to 187.6 million kg. Bad weather hit output and exports earlier this year.

Exports between January and May fell 13.3 per cent to 59.44 million kg, from 68.58 million kg in the same period last year, Tea Board officials said.

India's tea production dropped 6.4 per cent in the first five months to 223.90 million kg, from 239.31 million kg last year.—Reuters