McLeod Russel sees steady tea output from India ops in FY12

McLeod Russel India, the world's largest tea producer, is hoping its output in India will remain steady and prices bouyant this fiscal, on the back of robust local and overseas demand, a top official said on Friday.

Production in FY12 is seen at 80 million kgs, much the same as expected last year, which saw a pest attack that trimmed output for some part of the year, Managing Director Aditya Khaitan told Reuters. "In north India we are just about to start production. The rainfall was slightly delayed but we are expecting a normal start. We are hoping to touch 80 million kg this year." "If you add Rwanda, Uganda, India and Vietnam, I think we are hoping to hit around about 104 million kg this year," he added.