Lahore Zubair Kasuri: It was the summer of 2004. A special vibrancy filled the tea gardens of India. From the lush green valleys of Assam to the hilly slopes of Darjeeling, the fragrance of tea leaves permeated the air. Farmers were diligently plucking the finest leaves, and traders were busy strategizing how to deliver them to every corner of the world.
During those days, a silent competition was unfolding in the global tea trade. Sri Lanka, once holding a significant position in tea exports, was now feeling the growing strides of India. With its vast land and diverse climate, India was now producing more tea than ever before.
Sitting in a small office in Lahore, Jamil Ahmed, who had been involved in trade for a long time, was reading the newspaper. Today’s headline cast a deep thought upon his face. “India Surpasses Sri Lanka!” it declared. India had become the world’s second-largest tea exporting nation.
Mr. Jamil remembered the days when he had heard from his father about how tea cultivation had started in the subcontinent. Pakistan was newly formed then and striving to strengthen its economy. However, significant attention wasn’t given to tea production at that time.
Especially in the gardens of South India, despite some seasonal challenges, the fragrant tea continued to carve its niche. Meanwhile, North India, particularly Assam and West Bengal, had achieved record-breaking exports. 255 million kilograms of tea was no small quantity. This hard work had resulted in an income of over ₹71 billion for the country, significantly higher than the previous year.
The emerging markets of West Asia were proving to be a new ray of hope for India. Where Sri Lankan tea once reigned, Indian traders were now gradually establishing their presence with their high-quality tea. Black tea, which constituted approximately 96 percent of India’s exports, was gaining popularity worldwide for its distinct characteristics and flavor.
Mr. Jamil thought with a touch of disappointment about his own country, Pakistan, which imported billions of rupees worth of tea every year. According to recent data, Pakistan is one of the largest tea-importing nations globally. It imports substantial quantities of tea from countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Vietnam, and Tanzania. Kenya alone is the largest supplier of tea to Pakistan, with an annual value of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Additionally, China, Burundi, and Indonesia are also significant tea exporters to Pakistan. The Pakistani people are avid tea drinkers; no morning or evening is complete without a cup. He pondered why Pakistani farmers and the government couldn’t learn from India’s success and promote tea cultivation in their own country. Pakistan also possessed land and climate suitable for excellent tea production.
If this were to happen, not only would Pakistan save significant foreign exchange spent on tea imports, but the Pakistani people would also have access to fresh, high-quality tea from their own land. And when a country utilizes its resources effectively, the path to economic progress widens.
The Indian government was also pleased with this progress. They understood that the tea industry not only improved the lives of farmers but also played a vital role in the national economy. Therefore, they were introducing new policies to further boost tea exports. Their dream was for Indian tea to establish a unique identity and for the world to recognize it with a special name.
Mr. Jamil placed the newspaper on his desk, lost in deep thought. India’s success was a bright example for Pakistan, demonstrating that with hard work, planning, and a focus on national resources, any country could achieve progress. He hoped that one day, Pakistan would also become self-sufficient in tea production and spread its own fragrance to the world.
