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Tea industry may be heading towards crisis: Tea Association of India

24 Nov 2021 Evaluate

Expressing concern over decline in prices and drop in production, the Tea Association of India (TAI) has cautioned that the industry could be heading towards a crisis. Secretary General of TAI, P K Bhattacharya, said there has been a ‘substantial drop’ in tea prices during November, both in Assam and West Bengal.

The planters' body said input prices have also seen a steep rise. It said the total projected crop in 2021 is 1,330 million kg, a decline from 1,400 million kg in 2020, due to poor weather conditions and pest-related issues.

Bhattacharya said around 28% of the crop is produced between October and mid-December. He said coupled with the price decline, wages have also risen - 201% in West Bengal from 2011-2021 and 186 per cent in Assam during the same period.