Darjeeling tea industry struggling as yields drop, prices fall
The situation in Darjeeling is critical due to decreasing yields and plummeting prices, says the Indian Tea Association (ITA) while making a fresh plea for financial assistance from the Centre to support the struggling Darjeeling tea industry.
The country's tea industry is facing various challenges. Adverse weather conditions have affected tea production in Assam and West Bengal, leading to a significant decrease in production, according to Tea Board data.
The situation in Darjeeling is critical due to decreasing yields and plummeting prices, says the Indian Tea Association (ITA) while making a fresh plea for financial assistance from the Centre to support the struggling Darjeeling tea industry.
In the absence of a financial relief package, the survival of the Darjeeling tea industry is in jeopardy, says the ITA, adding that it has urged the government to consider and act upon a financial revival package endorsed by Parliament's Standing Committee on Commerce in March 2022.
"The association has urged the government to extend a financial revival package to the Darjeeling tea sector which has been already endorsed by Parliament's Standing Committee on Commerce in March 2022. This awaits consideration and action", the ITA said.
Tea Board data show that from January to March 2024, production was down by 13.69 million kg at 96.10 million kg across the country.
Prices at the auctions have also taken a beating during the same period, the ITA said, adding that at an all-India level, auction prices were down by Rs 16.08 per kg at Rs 128.12.
Meanwhile, tea exports from India during January to December 2023 fell to 227.91 million kg as compared to 231.08 million kg in the same period of 2022, adding to the industry's challenges, the ITA rued.
