Import from India and Ceylon was not mainstream until after 1890’s, when they were more successful in production. Chinese tea dominated the world market until very late in the 19th century. I have not read other reasons for it, but I guess it had to do more with trade balance then anything else. It was English business to English business when it was Indian tea. That was perhaps why Victoria supported East Indian Company to set up plantations, even with all the hardship.
BTW, silver teapot is really no good for making tea in.
