Tea production decreases by 14 percent in July due to uneven rainfall
Tea production has declined in July this year. According to the provisional assessment of the Tea Board, tea production in July 2024 fell by 14.39 percent to 1468.4 lakh kg from 1715.5 lakh kg in the same month last year. The main reason for this decline is the decrease in production in major tea producing states like Assam and West Bengal.
Tea production witnessed a significant decline in July this year. According to the provisional assessment by the Tea Board, production dropped by 14.39 percent, reaching 1,468.4 lakh kilograms, compared to 1,715.5 lakh kilograms in the same month last year. This decline is primarily attributed to reduced output in key tea-producing states such as Assam and West Bengal.
In Assam, the largest tea-producing state in the country, production fell by 15.53 percent, totaling 783 lakh kilograms in July 2024, down from 927 lakh kilograms during the same period last year. Specifically, the Assam Valley produced 734.1 lakh kilograms, a decrease from 874.1 lakh kilograms in July 2023. In Cachar, production also declined to 48.9 lakh kilograms from 52.9 lakh kilograms the previous year.
West Bengal, another significant tea-producing state, also experienced a sharp decline. Tea production in the state decreased by 21.44 percent to 415.9 lakh kilograms in July 2024, compared to 529.5 lakh kilograms in the same month last year. In West Bengal’s key regions, the Dooars produced 230.1 lakh kilograms, the Terai 176.8 lakh kilograms, and Darjeeling only 9 lakh kilograms. All three regions recorded lower production compared to the previous year.
Overall, tea production in North India declined by 17.41 percent in July 2024, with a total output of 1,241.6 lakh kilograms, down from 1,503.4 lakh kilograms in July 2023.
In contrast, South India saw a positive trend in tea production, registering a 7 percent increase. In July 2024, South India produced 226.8 lakh kilograms of tea, up from 211.9 lakh kilograms last year. The state-wise breakdown shows Tamil Nadu leading with 182.1 lakh kilograms, Kerala with 42.4 lakh kilograms, and Karnataka with 2.3 lakh kilograms. All three states reported an increase in tea production.
Arijit Raha, the General Secretary of the Indian Tea Association (ITA), attributed the decline in July’s tea production to adverse climatic conditions. He pointed out that the uneven rainfall during the month significantly impacted production levels. However, the overall decline is largely due to reduced output in major states like Assam and West Bengal.
