Kolkata, April 5:

India is hoping for higher tea exports in 2006 because of the drought in Kenya,

the world’s largest exporter. Importers are looking at India, the world’s largest producer of tea, to bail them out following the 54 per cent drop in production in Kenya in February following severe drought.

Indian exporters have started wooing countries that were served by Kenya. “Pakistan has already got in touch with us. A delegation of Pakistan Tea Association will hold talks with Tea Board officials to increase purchases from the country,” said Sujit Patra, joint secretary of Indian Tea Association (ITA), the apex body of tea producers.

“The delegation is expected to visit India by the end of April or the beginning of May.”