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International Tea Day: Pakistan is the World's Largest Tea Importer


Pakistan does not produce tea but it is the most popular beverage among Pakistanis. The country is ranked as its largest importer in the world. In 2020, Pakistan imported $646 million (9% of global tea imports) worth of tea and exported $15.2 million in branded blends of tea such as Tapal Tea. Pakistan tea imports grew 19.8% from 2019 to 2020.




Other major tea importers in 2020 were as follows: United States: $473.8 million (7.1%) Russia: $412.2 million (6.2%) United Kingdom: $348.7 million (5.2%) Saudi Arabia: $243.6 million (3.7%) Iran: $236.3 million (3.5%) Hong Kong: $221.8 million (3.3%) Morocco: $202.3 million (3%) Egypt: $197.2 million (3%) Germany: $195 million (2.9%) China: $180 million (2.7%) France: $168.1 million (2.5%) United Arab Emirates: $164.9 million (2.5%) Japan: $156.6 million (2.4%) Iraq: $134.7 million (2%). Global purchases of imported tea totaled US$6.7 billion in 2020. Of these countries, 4 markets for tea imports grew since 2019 namely: Hong Kong (up 19%), Pakistan (up 18.7%), Saudi Arabia (up 2.9%)

Tea is popular in Pakistan and many other parts of the world for many reasons. A British study found that tea provides as much day-time stimulation as coffee, despite having half the caffeine. But tea was less likely to disrupt sleep. A Japanese study reported that plant compounds found in regular black tea – called theaflavins – were found to kill off oral bacteria linked with tooth and gum disease in a clinical trial with adults. A team of American scientists in Baltimore reviewed the evidence on tea and heart health, reporting that tea polyphenols have a direct impact on heart muscle contractions by controlling the flow of calcium ions into the muscle cells. The TAP (Tea Advisory Panel) data review reveals that more than half of Brits agree that tea is good for the heart.


Last year, the PTI government headed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to push domestic cultivation of tea in Pakistan with the help of Chinese experts. Already, trials have been conducted for growing tea in Mansehra, Battagram, Swat and Azad Kashmir regions which are considered to have the right climate for it. About 25,000 acres of government land has been allocated for tea cultivation along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“This year we are going to approve a project where we are growing tea on an area of 25,000 acres; we are creating history; we plan to complete the proposed tea plantations over the next five years,” said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Food Security Jamshed Iqbal Cheema during his 2021 visit to the National Tea and High-Value Crops Research Institute (NTHRI) at Shinkiari, Mansehra in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Cheema said Pakistan has great potential for growing tea. The country has 178,000 acres of tea cultivable land. “Pakistan can grow its own tea,” he said, adding that the country imported 30 million tonnes of tea each year from 15 different tea-producing countries.

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we need to maek it zero... either produce it here or dont drink it!
 
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My physician changed my diet plan with handing me over some phakki a majoon and and a qahwa nothing more nothing less and since then iam feeling charged up. Initially I skipped some of the recommended food items in favour of bakery products etc but got busted when I took my urine to his clinic, so he changed the majoon and phakki . Now iam strictly following the diet plan

What is unab ?

People call it lil Apple and It also tastes sweet but not recommended for everyone

 
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People call it lil Apple and It also tastes sweet but not recommended for everyone


Thanks. So it grows in the Deccan. Must see to obtain it then. But my word, such Arabicized-Urdu-heavy talk. :lol:
 
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Do you put milk in it or just black tea

I have visited shinkiari manshera area
One interesting point to note many farmers there grow tobacco
Pakistani tobacco companies like lackson & pak tobacco company have purchase network there
Area suitable for tea is also suitable for tobacco and other vegetables farming

Pakistani tea companies should establish purchase and farmer guidance network there like tobacco companies have
We don't put in milk. People would spit on you if you'd demand milk for your tea. 🤣
 
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Does not know about SWAT whereas Manshera sounds like a plan. As per my understanding Tea can be cultivated at warm, humid climate with a rainfall measuring at least 100 centimetres a year. Ideally, it likes deep, light, acidic and well-drained soil. Given these conditions, tea will grow in areas from sea level up to altitudes as high as 2,100 metres above sea level. We do it in Kerala, Assam and look at the climatic conditions of Srilanka.



Under which province does Tattagram falls ? Does these places has the same climatic conditions as I posted above.

Unlike other plants, tea plants can handle light snow or frost, but not prolonged cold winters or heavy freezes. The tea plant can thus grow from tropical climates to subtropical climates, but typically requires high humidity and heavy rainfall (between 150 cm and 250 cm) during the growing season.


Mansehra gets about 47 inches (119 cm) annual rainfall.

 
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search can be done to find right location to grow tea and coffee locally in Pakistan and reduce it’s import.
 
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It's true, Pakistan leads the ranking of tea importing countries:


However, the real 'tea champion' here is Turkey.

We drink it 24/7, non-stop, for breakfast, lunch and supper, during winter and summer time, no matter what the outside temperature is, back tea is our go-to:

We do too , When Guests visit our homes we always ask "Chai , Pani?" Chai is Tea. Tea is a Staple in Breakfasts and After Sunsets.
 
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