The Hindu Business Line : Scarce rains hit tea output in Assam, Bengal

Shortage of rains during the last 30 to 45 days has affected tea production in Assam and some sections of West Bengal, such as Darjeeling, Dooars and Terai.

Sources in the Indian Tea Association (ITA), apex body of the tea producers of North, said in April production had been hampered and the loss would be to the tune of 20 per cent.

"As a result of this shortage of rainfall, availability of first flush teas in the market would be slightly down," sources said.

Even in May there is a shortage of rains, but the industry is hopeful that it would be made good during the next few days. The industry also ruled out the apprehension that the second flush tea — the best produced in the year — would be affected.

"April production has already been affected that but we do not feel that it would be as bad in May. Second flush teas would be as good as ever", sources said.

However, production in the North during the first two months (January and February) increased by 22.3 per cent. It went up to 11.5 million kg (mkg) compared with 9.4 mkg in the corresponding period of 2005. In the South, it hovered around last year's level of 28-29 mkg.

All the other major tea growing regions such as Sri Lanka, Kenya and Tanzania experienced shortfall in production. The worst affected was Kenya. Production dropped by 35.5 per cent to 49.3 mkg compared to 84.9 mkg in January-March 2005. Indian exports also dropped by 13.4 per cent in the first two months. It fell to 21.9 mkg against 35.3 mkg. Kenyan exports, despite the drought, fell by only 3.4 per cent and ended at 54.5 mkg against 54.4 mkg.

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