A small tea grower using a leaf cutting machine near Kotagiri, Nilgiris.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
India’s tea production declined 1.7% year-on-year (YoY) to 658.3 million kg during January-July this year, according to data shared by the United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI).
While the country’s tea output in 2025 had grown 7.1% YoY, production during the first seven months of this year sw pressure across major tea-growing regions. Output in South India declined 4.4% and production in North India fell 0.9% largely due to climatic conditions linked to changing weather patterns.
India’s tea exports shrank 16.11% YoY to 128.56 million kg between January and July this year.
Meanwhile, the Tea Board of India’s newly launched Tea Mark certification programme has gained initial traction, with 25 producers and mini factories receiving certification so far.
The initiative, introduced in July, aims to promote speciality teas produced by small tea growers and bought-leaf factories by enhancing quality standards, branding and market access.
The Tea Board has also introduced an online marketplace for certified teas and is undertaking awareness campaigns across the country to boost consumer recognition and demand for Indian speciality teas.
Published – September 25, 2026 09:26 pm IST
