STATISTICS REGARDING INDIAN TEA. IQ5 



I may here remark that while the imports of Indian Teas 

 have, since 1877, increased by 23 million pounds, the imports 

 of China Teas have increased by 4 million pounds only 

 in the same time. 



The deliveries and stocks were as follows for 1881 and 

 1882 in millions of pounds : 



1881. 1882. 



Deliveries 48! 50^ 



Stocks on 3ist December i8J 2if 



During the last 3 months of 1882 the deliveries averaged 

 5 million pounds per month. In January, 1883, they were 

 5^ millions, and in February (I write in March) 5 millions. 



Deliveries at this rate mean 60 millions a year. 



I estimate Indian produce for 1883 a * about 62 millions. 



Deduct the probable quantity to be sent ] 

 to countries outside the United Kingdom, j- 5^ ,, 

 and local consumption in India J 



Leaving available for the ) ~ 



, . I- 5of millions, 

 home market j 



Thus, if deliveries continue at the present rate, demand 

 must soon equal, if not exceed, supply, and the consequence 

 naturally must be enhanced prices, which, however, will 

 surely to some extent check the deliveries. 



There is, however, a hopeful feature regarding Indian 

 Teas. The taste for them is increasing greatly. 'A very 

 small per centage of the public drink them pure (a large 

 per centage in Ireland), but the public generally are now 

 accustomed to the strength attained only by mixing, say one 

 third of Indian to two thirds China, and will nothing weaker. 

 Thus retail dealers must continue to use them, and thus 

 though, as remarked, increased prices will check deliveries, 

 they will not do so with Indian Teas to the same extent 

 they would with China. 



