According to reports available here from the state-run Bangladesh Tea Board, 8.07 million kg of tea were exported during the period, down from 8.66 million kg exported in the corresponding period of last year.

However, earnings against the export increased to Tk 617 million in the first nine months from January to September this year from Tk 588 million, compared to the corresponding period in 2002, official sources said, adding that the earnings rose only as dollar prices went up.

Officials have attributed increased domestic consumption and non-availability of quality tea in the auctions to the export fall.

"The types of tea the foreign buyers want, are not available in the auctions here in large quantity," Chairman of Tea Traders Association of Bangladesh (TTAB) Feroz Ahmed said while talking to this correspondent.

However, tea production in Bangladesh in the first nine months of this year was recorded at 39.27 million kg against 35.44 million kg in the same period in 2002, official said.

Officials said production had gone up this year following favourable weather condition.