India's Tea Production Dips 9% in June Amid Adverse Weather and Pest Attacks
By ScanX News Team
India's tea production declined by 9% in June compared to last year, with total output at 133.50 million kg. North India saw a 7.4% decrease, while South India experienced a 16.7% drop. Big and organized planters' production fell by 19.3%, and small growers by 12.8%. CTC tea remained the dominant variety produced. The decline is attributed to adverse weather conditions and pest attacks, potentially impacting supply, prices, and quality in the tea industry.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
India's tea industry faced significant challenges in June, with production declining by 9% compared to the same month last year. The Indian Tea Association reported that total tea production for the month stood at 133.50 million kg, down from 146.72 million kg in June of the previous year.
Weather and Pests Impact Production
The substantial decrease in tea production has been attributed to two primary factors: adverse weather conditions and pest attacks. These challenges have affected tea plantations across the country, leading to lower yields and potentially impacting the overall quality of the tea produced.
Regional Production Breakdown
North India
The northern region, which includes major tea-producing states like West Bengal and Assam, experienced a notable decline in production:
- June 2023: 112.51 million kg
- June 2022: 121.52 million kg
- Decrease: 9.01 million kg (7.4% decline)
South India
Southern tea-producing regions also witnessed a significant drop in production:
- June 2023: 20.99 million kg
- June 2022: 25.20 million kg
- Decrease: 4.21 million kg (16.7% decline)
Production by Planter Category
The decline in production affected both large-scale and small-scale tea growers:
| Planter Category | June 2023 (million kg) | June 2022 (million kg) | Decrease (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big and Organized | 55.21 | 68.38 | 19.3 |
| Small Growers | 68.28 | 78.34 | 12.8 |
Tea Variety Production
The production figures for different tea varieties in June 2023 were as follows:
- CTC (Cut, Tear, Curl) Tea: 117.84 million kg
- Orthodox Tea: 13.82 million kg
- Green Tea: 1.84 million kg
This breakdown shows that CTC tea remains the dominant variety produced in India, followed by orthodox and green tea.
Industry Implications
The significant drop in tea production could have several implications for the Indian tea industry:
- Supply Concerns: The reduced output may lead to supply constraints in both domestic and export markets.
- Price Fluctuations: A shortage in supply could potentially drive up tea prices in the coming months.
- Economic Impact: Tea-producing regions may face economic challenges due to lower production volumes.
- Quality Concerns: Adverse weather and pest attacks could affect the quality of the tea produced, potentially impacting India's reputation in the global tea market.
As the tea industry grapples with these challenges, stakeholders will be closely monitoring production trends in the coming months. The ability of tea plantations to recover from these setbacks will be crucial for the industry's performance in the remainder of the year.
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