Darjeeling’s tea industry in crisis, increasing difficulties due to decreasing productivity and low prices

Tea planters in the country’s premier tea region Darjeeling are grappling with the double whammy of falling tea productivity and low prices from export destinations. Industry bodies said that due to the sluggish economic condition in traditional markets like Western Europe and Japan, the prices realized by them have come down. He said that the production size of 87 Darjeeling tea gardens, which used to be more than 80 lakh kg per annum, has come down to 65-70 lakh kg due to climate change and pest attacks.

Seasonal change is taking a heavy toll

“Darjeeling tea industry is in ‘ICU’. Cost of production has increased, while crop production is declining due to unfavorable climate. Exports, too, are facing a gloomy economic situation,” said Anshuman Kanoria, president of the Tea Exporters Association of India. The reason is falling. Prices from Western Europe and Japan remain stable.

Many gardens on the verge of closure

Many plantations in Darjeeling are on the verge of closure as operations cannot continue. He said that the Sangh is trying to sensitize the Tea Board on this burning issue. “The Darjeeling tea industry has been affected by factors beyond its control. Without government support such as one-time subsidies paid to tea planters in the region and funding for promotional activities, the industry would not have survived,” he said. May go.”