Northeast small tea growers bitter about increasing imports, seek Centre's intervention

North East Confederation Small Tea Growers’ Association warned that if such unregulated import continues, it would dismantle the rural economy of the region, particularly in Assam.
Image used for representational purposes only. Tea plantation.
Image used for representational purposes only. Tea plantation.(File Photo)
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GUWAHATI: Over two lakh small tea growers on Friday petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the banner 'North East Confederation Small Tea Growers’ Association' seeking the Centre’s help to save the 200-year-old Indian tea industry.

The growers contribute over 54 per cent of tea produced in the Northeast.

In a letter, the association said the Tea Board had directed the small tea growers to stop harvesting tea leaves from December 1, 2024, to overcome the demand-supply mismatch.

“But now, we have noticed that there has been a huge jump in imports of tea from Nepal, Kenya and other African countries. As per the official figures of Tea Board of Kenya, the exports from Kenya to India in 2024 (January to October) is 13.71 million kgs whereas in 2023 (January to October), it was 3.53 million kgs. Therefore, there has been a jump of 288 per cent,” the association said.

“Similarly, regarding the import of Nepal tea, the Mechi Customs Office has witnessed a 55.70 per cent rise in tea export to India in the last six months. The early closure of tea production in North India is cited as the reason behind the rise in the import of tea. Therefore, the Tea Board’s intention to control the oversupply of tea in India was defeated,” the association further stated.

Stating that excellent leaves, in terms of quality, were noticed in the tea bushes last December but they could not be plucked due to Tea Board’s directive, the association said it was a 'national loss', not just a loss for the small tea growers.

“Restricting production only in North India will not help in overcoming demand-supply mismatch, if any. Moreover, Tea Board has no official statistics to prove that there is an oversupply of tea in India. We have heard that the imported teas are often re-blended and re-exported as Indian teas, which has severely impacted the brand image, value, and demand of Indian teas especially those from Northeast India in the global market,” the association said.

Referring to reports which indicated that 119 million kgs of old teas are lying at the Mombasa auction centre and awaiting export to India, the association warned that if such unregulated import continues, it would deal a devastating blow to the small tea growers of the Northeast and dismantle the rural economy of the region, particularly in Assam.

According to the association, the tea industry, which has a legacy of over 200 years, is already grappling with low green leaf price realisation, declining demand, rising input costs, and compliance challenges regarding maximum residue limits.

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