“We are happy to resume the export of tea to Germany. We will send the first consignment of the tea soon,” said Iman Singh Gurung, secretary of the cooperative. He said around 500 kg of tea will be sent to Germany in the first phase.[break]
To maintain the quality of tea, freshly plucked tea leaves have to be process within the 22 hours of harvest. Entrepreneurs are compelled to run the processing machines only for three days of a week- Sunday to Tuesday-due to erratic power supply.
In the past, Original Food of Germany had imported Nepali tea from 2005 to 2007. Organic tea, which is comparatively more expensive than normally produced tea, does not have a large enough market in the country. Nepali organic tea which costs Rs 1000 per kg in Nepal, is selling for 25 Euro in the European market.
Hit Kaji Gurung, chairman of the cooperative said around 70 households are associated with the cooperative in organic tea production in an area of 1,300 ropanies.
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