Indias tea manufacturing will increase in 2025, Darjeelings output stays a priority

While the manufacturing of tea within the nation from January to May 2025 elevated by 25.76% in comparison with final yr, the output of Darjeeling tea that dropped by 10.34% in the identical interval stays a matter of concern.

The manufacturing of tea throughout the nation from January to May 2025 stood at 336.22 million kilograms in comparison with 267.36 million kilograms between January to May 2024.

“For January–May 2025, provisional information signifies a restoration, with All-India manufacturing rising by 25.76% in the identical interval of 2024. Regionally, West Bengal noticed a 44% rise, whereas Assam recorded a 14% progress,” a press assertion by the Tea Board mentioned on Tuesday (July 29, 2025).

For Darjeeling tea, the manufacturing between January to May 2025 was 1.34 Mkg in comparison with 1.47 Mkg in the identical interval in 2023. The shortfall in 2025 might be pegged at 18.24%.

According to Tea Board, the tea manufacturing figures present a relative enchancment in comparison with the poor manufacturing in 2024, however compared to 2023 ranges, most areas have skilled a decline in manufacturing.

“The manufacturing shortfall is basically attributed to unfavourable climate situations, compounded by pest assaults which have additional impacted the trade,” the press assertion added. The Tea Board additionally added that manufacturing of “Big Growers’ (Registered Tea Gardens) has declined by 12.89% in West Bengal and eight.65% in Assam in comparison with 2023 degree”.

Unfavourable climate situations

The Tea Board mentioned the challenges confronted by trade embody unfavourable local weather situations. “A 2°C rise in common day temperatures and diminished rainfall in comparison with final yr led to dry situations, stressing tea progress and leading to a 20-25% manufacturing drop in key tea rising areas of Assam & West Bengal,” the press assertion mentioned.

On the worth entrance, the public sale costs for CTC Leaf and Dust have declined by virtually 7% in Assam and 9.5% in Dooars/Terai from April to late July 2025, that are a priority for the trade’s monetary sustainability.

The nation’s tea exports for January–April 2025 totalled 85.77 Mkg, marginally down by 0.18 Mkg (-0.22%) in comparison with 85.95 Mkg in 2024.

Rising imports

India’s tea imports from January to March 2025, rose to 9.86 Mkg from 5.12 Mkg in 2024, with Kenya’s imports doubling (4.26 Mkg vs. 2.05 Mkg).

“A major inflow of tea imports in 2024 and early 2025 has contributed to miserable costs. Total imports in 2024 surged by 82% to 44.53 Mkg from 24.52 Mkg in 2023, with Kenya and Nepal accounting for 74% of the whole,” the Tea Board information said.