• Tea production is affected by rainfall in Assam and North Bengal: Tea Association

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    Tea production is affected by rainfall in Assam and North Bengal: Tea Association

    Tender tea leaves are typically harmed by widening diurnal temperature differences...


    Digital Desk: Heavy rains and subsequent floods in Assam and in the northern part of West Bengal have affected the tea plantation sector, stated the Tea Association of India. Further, it added that the industry's position is "questionable" for the current season.


    According to the official data, about 80% of India's total tea production is produced by the tea industries in Assam and north Bengal.


    "This region has been pummelling by the fury of nature that has witnessed extreme rainfall and flood situation the ferocity of which has not been witnessed in recent times," the association said in a statement which is led by Secretary-General P.K. Bhattacharjee.


    According to estimates, crop production in Assam and West Bengal decreased between 11 and 21% year on year in June.


    In addition to the output decline, a recent increase in wages in north Bengal of Rs 30 per day also affected the tea sector, it stated. Wage increases in Assam cannot be ruled out.


    The statement said, "The decrease in production is due to the 1.50C average maximum temperature decrease in June 2022, which resulted in decreased average sunlight hours to the point that some of the regions experienced no sunshine for a total of 11 days out of 30 days in June 2022." 


    Tender tea leaves are typically harmed by widening diurnal temperature differences.


    Reportedly, tea prices in the Brahmaputra Valley, Barak Valley, Dooars, and Terai regions have dropped by 15% in May, further aggravating the industry's problems.


    India's tea sector has been facing challenges such as rising input costs, largely static consumption, and subdued prices for several years. The tea industry is a costly one, with fixed costs accounting for 60–70% of the overall investment.


    About 1.2 million people are employed in the tea industry in India, which accounts for 23% of worldwide output.