Assam tea production hits by drought

Assam is currently reeling under a prolonged dry spell that has severely impacted both tea cultivation across the state. The ongoing weather crisis has hit the tea industry particularly hard, with production in June alone dropping by 20 to 25% compared to the same period last year.

Due to the excessive heat and lack of rain, many tea leaveshave turned black and dried up, affecting even Assam’s premium varieties, which are globally renowned for

their flavour and quality. A notable rise in the population of green fly, a damaging pest, has also been reported. This level of weather-induced stress on tea crops hasn’t been witnessed in the last 30 years. Although the impact of climate change cannot be reverse overnight, adoptingalternative, climate-resilient practices is crucial.

On the export front, the recent conflict between Iranand Israel had briefly disrupted Assam’s tea exports. However, with the easing of tensions, exports to Iranhave resumed, offering some respite to the struggling industry.

Source: The Assam Tribune (Extracts), Courtesy: Tea Exporters’ Association Sri Lanka