Picking fresh tea leaves has commenced in the two northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran, said Mohammad Vali Rouzbehan, head of Iran Tea Organization (ITO). Nearly 67% of the harvesting cost is met by the government and 33% by tea factories, IRNA reported. The government has also increased “guaranteed purchase price” of green leaves by 21% compared to the previous year (ended March 21), to maintain domestic agricultural production.
