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Tea output drops 6% to 160 million kg in September amid erratic weather
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Wednesday, 05 November, 2025, 16 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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India’s tea production declined by around 6 per cent to 160 million kilograms (mkg) in September 2025, compared to 170.2 mkg produced during the same month last year, according to provisional data from the Tea Board of India. The fall has been attributed mainly to erratic rainfall patterns and pest infestations in key tea-growing regions, particularly Assam and West Bengal.
The northeastern region, which accounts for more than 80 per cent of India’s total tea output, recorded the sharpest drop. Assam’s production fell by nearly 8 per cent to 96 mkg, while North Bengal reported a decline of around 5 per cent to 37 mkg. Planters in these regions cited prolonged dry spells followed by heavy rains that affected both yield and quality during the critical plucking season.
On the other hand, South Indian tea estates showed a marginal recovery, with production in Tamil Nadu and Kerala collectively rising to around 27 mkg, supported by improved rainfall distribution during the month. However, this gain was insufficient to offset the overall national decline.
Industry insiders expressed concern that the output slump could impact auction prices and export commitments in the coming months. “Weather inconsistency has been a major challenge this year. The combination of excess moisture and pest attacks has hit productivity hard,” said a senior official from the Indian Tea Association (ITA).
India, the world’s second-largest tea producer after China, has produced around 930 mkg during the first nine months of 2025, down 3.5 per cent year-on-year. With global demand stabilizing and domestic consumption steady, stakeholders hope that favorable weather in the last quarter could help recover some of the lost ground.
Despite the shortfall, experts believe that quality teas from the new flushes may fetch better prices in auctions due to tighter supply.
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