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P.S. Sundar

Coonoor , Jan. 4

TEA production in the Nilgiris has been affected by the frostbite. The frost, which hit the valleys of the district in the third week of December, continues even now.

Night temperature has dropped to zero to three degrees Celsius in the valleys. There have been many warnings of frost hits during midnights in winter.

The tea leaves have been charred in many estates. More importantly, the growth has been restricted. "This is the direct impact of the extreme chillness in the fields. In the low elevations and the valleys, frost prevalence has been intensive and extensive. Consequently, the crop has come down heavily. Instead of plucking the leaves once in eight days, we are now plucking only once in 15 days," Mr M. Bhojarajan, President of the Nilgiris Small Tea Growers' Association, told Business Line.

As a result the arrival of the green leaves to the factories has slowed. At present, many factories are working only on alternate days. To that extent, the production of the made tea has also come down. Even with a gap of 15 days, when the auctions of the Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) resume on January 6, only 13 lakh kg would be offered for sale.

Some planting sources estimate a reduction of 10 per cent in the December-January crop. Even as the volume has dropped, the quality of the high grown winter crop has improved. Such quality teas continue to fetch a good price. Upcountry buyers are keen to lift such teas, but they complain that they are unable to get adequate volume.

However, the producers are waiting for a buoyant market when the auctions resume this week.

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