It was desirable to have some sort of mechanism to prevent the entry of foreign teas which did not conform to the specifications or standards applicable to the indigenous teas, Association President Anilkumar N Prabhu said.

Addressing the annual genral body meeting of the association, he said tea imports were likely to increase under the WTO, SAARC and the Indo-Sri Lanka free trade agreements.

The association also urged the state government to extend the period of concessional rates of General Sales Tax and Central Sales Tax applicable to teas sold in the Kochi Auction Centre. The period of concenssional rates would expire by November end.

Expressing concern at the growing popularity of softdrinks manufactured by multi-nationals and a drop in consumption of tea in the country, the association said though the country was one of the largest consumers of tea in the world, the per capita consumption of tea was much less when compared to neighbouring countries. The per capita consumption had crossed the one kg mark in Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

During 1999, the country's tea production fell to 800 million kg as against 870 million kg in 1998. The share of South Indian tea was 195.6 million kg and 200 million kg respectively during the period, Prabhu said.

He said 59.64 million kg of tea was sold through Kochi auctions in 1999 as against 58.58 million kg in 1998.

Last year, about 190 million kg of teas worth Rs 1,796.40 crore were exported from the country as against 210 million kg valued at Rs 2,191.80 crore in 1998, he added.