Since the beginning of the harvest season two months ago, some 80,000 tons of fresh tea leaves have been purchased from local farmers by the government, the head of Iran Tea Organization said. “It is estimated that 110,000 to 115,000 tons will be produced this (Iranian) year (March 2016-17), indicating a 40% increase compared to last year,” ISNA also quoted Mohammad Vali Rouzbehan as saying. The official noted that the rise in production this year owes to favorable climate and high precipitation, in addition to banking facilities granted by the government to tea farmers. The government buys tea from local farmers at guaranteed prices to build up its strategic reserves and control prices in the domestic market.
