Tea production faces a stormy forecast, expected to drop at least 160 Mkgs during the year 2024
Tea Association of India (TAI) stated with Tea Board, India revising its Crop figure to 1393.66 Mkg from its earlier 1367.70 Mkg for the year 2023 coupled with the early closure Order by Tea Board, India, the industry is looking at a drop of production to the tune of around 160-170 Mkgs during the year 2024.
TAI in statement stated the Production figure of North Indian Tea Industry reflect a precarious situation of the industry, consequent to the constant onslaught of insufficient rainfall and excessive heat till May and excessive rainfall in June & July, hampering production of the crop to a great extent during the current cropping season up to the month of July 2024. The data released by Tea Board of India indicates a drop of production of around 11% in Assam and around 21% in West Bengal up to the month of July 2024 as against last year during the same period.
Sandeep Singhania, President TAI stated that due to the unprecedented weather condition, tea growing regions of West Bengal and Assam has witnessed weakening of tea bushes which has further aggravated by severe pest and disease infestation, indicating a further crop loss in the coming months.
As reported by the member Tea Estates of the Association, the Tea estates of West Bengal is estimated to be behind by around 10% while the Assam Estates are behind by around 3% during the month of August 2024 as against last year. The data published by India Meteorological Department for the period 1st March to 31st May has shown significant less rainfall in the tune of 50% to 80% in the major tea growing districts of West Bengal and 10% to 30% in Assam as against normal rainfall received by the districts during the same period.
