GUWAHATI: The tea industry in Assam and West Bengal, which forms the backbone of the North Indian tea sector, is currently facing a severe crisis due to erratic weather patterns.
Unfavourable conditions like extreme heat, a significant deficit of rain in May, and an imbalance between heavy rainfall and insufficient sunlight in the following months have critically affected tea production.
In a statement, Tea Association of India (TAI) president Sandeep Singhania said that the production figures reflect the precarious state of the industry and pointed out that inadequate rainfall combined with excessive heat until May, followed by torrential rains in June and July, has significantly hindered tea cultivation.
These adverse conditions have severely impacted crop yields during this year’s peak production season, compounding the industry’s ongoing challenges.
According to Singhania, the data from the Tea Board of India reveals a concerning decline in tea production, with Assam experiencing an 11 per cent drop and West Bengal seeing a steeper 21 per cent reduction in output up to July compared to the same period last year.
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Singhania attributed this decline to the unprecedented weather conditions that have weakened tea bushes in both states. The combination of excessive heat, erratic rainfall, and lack of sunshine has stressed the plants, making them more vulnerable to severe pest and disease infestations. As a result, the industry is bracing for further crop losses in the coming months.
Singhania noted that tea estates in West Bengal are estimated to be lagging by around 10 per cent in production, while Assam estates are behind by around 3 per cent in August compared to last year.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that between March 1 and May 31, the major tea-growing districts of West Bengal received 50 per cent to 80 per cent less rainfall than normal, while Assam saw a 10 per cent to 30 per cent deficit in rainfall during the same period. This lack of rain, coupled with high temperatures, severely affected the health of tea bushes.
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However, with the onset of the southwest monsoon in late May, the situation shifted drastically. Both Assam and West Bengal experienced heavy rainfall. According to IMD data, Assam’s tea-growing districts recorded 145.1 mm and 40.8 mm higher rainfall in June and July, respectively, compared to 2023.
Similarly, North Bengal saw 121.2 mm and 155.4 mm more rainfall in June and July than in the previous year, along with an increase in rainy days. While this excessive rainfall followed the earlier drought-like conditions, it has continued to disrupt the tea production cycle, further complicating recovery efforts for the tea industry in both states.
The tea-growing districts of North Bengal experienced another setback in August, with rainfall decreasing by 523.7 mm compared to last year.
The rainfall was even lower than the long-term average for the region. While the average minimum temperature dropped by 1.8°C, the maximum temperature rose by 0.4°C, with fewer rainy days and temperatures exceeding 40°C on numerous occasions. These extreme weather conditions have severely impacted the health of tea bushes, leading to significant disruptions in the cropping pattern and reduced production during the month.
Singhania highlighted the adverse effects of this weather on tea plantations, noting widespread pest infestations, including Heliopolis, Looper Caterpillar, Green fly, and Red spider mites, which have damaged crops across many estates.
Additionally, diseases such as Fusarium dieback, Bacterial blight, and Red rust have spread extensively, further threatening tea production.
Singhania also expressed concern about the limited pest management options available to the tea industry.
Due to regulatory restrictions, only 33 chemicals are approved for use in tea plantations, as per the FSSAI’s March 19, 2018, gazette notification. This limitation, combined with the severe infestation, has made it increasingly difficult for the industry to manage the situation effectively, exacerbating the ongoing production challenges.
The TAI said the tea industry is awaiting the testing and approval of 26 additional chemicals as notified by the FSSAI in November 2023 and March 2024. However, with only 33 approved chemicals currently available, the industry’s ability to manage pest infestations is severely constrained, making it feel like it is “beating a dead horse” in its ongoing battle.
The tea producers’ body has expressed support for the FSSAI’s stringent regulations aimed at ensuring the production of safe, compliant tea by restricting chemicals inconsistent with the FSSAI’s standards.
However, the TAI urged the West Bengal government to take swift action to ban the sale, stock, distribution, and use of prohibited chemicals in North Bengal’s tea industry. Failure to do so could place the region’s tea industry at a competitive disadvantage compared to nearby tea-growing areas, as non-compliant teas would fail to meet the requirements of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, and the FSS (Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues) Regulations, 2011.
While the TAI appreciated the West Bengal government’s draft roadmap to meet maximum residue limit (MRL) standards for tea, published on July 9, 2024, it emphasized the need for greater awareness among all stakeholders regarding the use of only approved chemicals in North Bengal’s tea plantations.
Singhania also urged the FSSAI to establish realistic MRLs for 13 chemicals approved by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) for use in tea. Without practical MRLs, the industry is unable to utilize these chemicals, as the default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg makes their use impractical under current guidelines.
Singhania highlighted the challenges the tea industry is facing despite a revision in production estimates by the Tea Board of India.
The crop figure for 2023 has been revised to 1,393.66 million kilograms (mkg), up from the earlier estimate of 1,367.70 mkg. However, due to an early closure order from the Tea Board, the industry anticipates a significant production drop of around 160–170 mkg for 2024.
“While the drop in production has led to a 13 per cent increase in price realization in North India, Singhania pointed out that this rise is not sufficient to offset the industry’s losses. Specifically, while North Bengal saw a 21 per cent drop in production, it only experienced a 7 per cent rise in prices. Meanwhile, Assam, which had an 11 per cent production decline, saw a more favourable 15 per cent price rise. This disparity highlights how the price increases have not fully compensated for the reduced yields, particularly in West Bengal,” said.
Singhania also noted that domestic tea prices have risen, but export prices have fallen by approximately 4 per cent so far this year, adding to the industry’s financial strain. Furthermore, the loss of production has primarily impacted the first and second flushes, which are known for producing the highest-quality teas.
“In addition to the production and price challenges, the industry in North India is also suffering due to delays in receiving subsidies from the Tea Board for developmental work undertaken during various plan periods,” he also said.
He added that the industry while grateful to the Assam government for extending fiscal incentives, craves for a similar consideration on the food grains front as the huge burden is being imposed on the industry due to escalating food grain prices in the open market.
With the natural circumstances beyond one’s control, the tea industry in both Assam and West Bengal is looking at an ill-starred future in the days to come and continuous increase in prices of essential inputs including wages and outflow on account of higher bonuses in the near future will put the tea industry of North India on the rack.
Singhania emphasized the tea industry’s urgent need for fiscal support, expressing hope that the West Bengal government would respond to their appeals for financial incentives. While he acknowledged the Assam government for providing fiscal relief, he pointed out that the industry faces additional pressures, particularly due to escalating food grain prices in the open market.
With the adverse weather conditions and rising prices of essential inputs such as food grains, wages, and bonuses, Singhania warned of an “ill-starred” future for the tea industry in both Assam and West Bengal.
The natural challenges, combined with increasing financial pressures, could place the tea industry in North India in a precarious position, making it difficult for companies to sustain their operations without significant external support.
The ongoing struggle to balance production losses, rising costs, and limited financial incentives leaves the tea industry facing a tough road ahead, with potential risks to its long-term viability.