Tea gardens in Darjeeling, West Bengal.
| Photo Credit: PTI
While the production of tea in the country from January to May 2025 increased by 25.76% compared to last year, the output of Darjeeling tea that dropped by 10.34% in the same period remains a matter of concern.
The production of tea across the country from January to May 2025 stood at 336.22 million kilograms compared to 267.36 million kilograms between January to May 2024.
“For January–May 2025, provisional data indicates a recovery, with All-India production rising by 25.76% in the same period of 2024. Regionally, West Bengal saw a 44% rise, while Assam recorded a 14% growth,” a press statement by the Tea Board said on Tuesday (July 29, 2025).
For Darjeeling tea, the production between January to May 2025 was 1.34 Mkg compared to 1.47 Mkg in the same period in 2023. The shortfall in 2025 can be pegged at 18.24%.
According to Tea Board, the tea production figures show a relative improvement compared to the poor production in 2024, but in comparison to 2023 levels, most regions have experienced a decline in production.
“The production shortfall is largely attributed to unfavourable weather conditions, compounded by pest attacks that have further impacted the industry,” the press statement added. The Tea Board also added that production of “Big Growers’ (Registered Tea Gardens) has declined by 12.89% in West Bengal and 8.65% in Assam compared to 2023 level”.
Unfavourable weather conditions
The Tea Board said the challenges faced by industry include unfavourable climate conditions. “A 2°C rise in average day temperatures and reduced rainfall compared to last year led to dry conditions, stressing tea growth and resulting in a 20-25% production drop in key tea growing regions of Assam & West Bengal,” the press statement said.
On the price front, the auction prices for CTC Leaf and Dust have declined by almost 7% in Assam and 9.5% in Dooars/Terai from April to late July 2025, which are a concern for the industry’s financial sustainability.
The country’s tea exports for January–April 2025 totalled 85.77 Mkg, marginally down by 0.18 Mkg (-0.22%) compared to 85.95 Mkg in 2024.
Rising imports
India’s tea imports from January to March 2025, rose to 9.86 Mkg from 5.12 Mkg in 2024, with Kenya’s imports doubling (4.26 Mkg vs. 2.05 Mkg).
“A significant influx of tea imports in 2024 and early 2025 has contributed to depressing prices. Total imports in 2024 surged by 82% to 44.53 Mkg from 24.52 Mkg in 2023, with Kenya and Nepal accounting for 74% of the total,” the Tea Board data stated.
Published – July 30, 2025 04:10 am IST
