India’s Tea Production Drops in June as Extreme Weather Hits Plantations

• India’s June tea output fell 9% year-on-year to 133.5 Mn kg due to extreme heat, rain deficit and pests.

• Assam and South India witnessed steep declines, with small growers hit hardest as erratic weather disrupted harvest cycles.

• FAO warns up to 40% yield loss by 2050 in Northeast India without climate adaptation in tea-growing regions.

India's tea production dips 9% to 133.5 million kg in June as compared to the same month of the previous year, according to official data.

In June 2024, the country had produced 146.72 million kg of tea, according to data released by the Tea Board.

The decline in production was caused by adverse weather conditions and pest attacks, said the Indian Tea Association.

Production in North India, comprising West Bengal and Assam, declined to 112.51 million kg in June 2025, down from 121.52 million kg in the same month last year.

Production in South India during June also declined to 20.99 million kg, as against 25.20 million kg in the same month of 2024.

Production by small growers stood at 68.28 million kg during the month, a dip from 78.34 million kg in June last year.

The production volume of the CTC variety was 117.84 million kg, followed by orthodox at 13.82 million kg and green tea at 1.84 million kg.

A 2024 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report warns that climate change could shrink tea-growing areas in India by up to 40% by 2050 due to rising temperatures and erratic rainfall. Without urgent adaptation, tea quality and livelihoods are at risk, especially in Assam and Darjeeling — key hubs for premium varieties.

Another TOI report published on August 1 stated that Assam’s tea industry is experiencing a severe drought-like situation, leading to a significant 12% drop in tea production in June compared to the same month last year. This decline occurred due to a combination of a 50% rainfall deficit and abnormally high temperatures.

Citing the case of Dibrugarh, TOI also stated that the prime tea-producing region is experiencing blackening of tea leaves due to the extreme weather conditions, with daily temperatures soaring above 36 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures dropping to around 26 degrees Celsius.

Madhurjya Barooah, Secretary of Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) Zone-I, told TOI, “The extreme temperature variations are creating an environment that is completely unsuitable for healthy tea cultivation. June’s production fell by 12% compared to last year due to a 50% rainfall deficit. July has also witnessed 30-40% less rain, meaning further drop in yield is inevitable. The 12% drop in June is just the beginning of what could be a very difficult season.”

Climate Risks to Tea

According to a 2021 journal titled Agronomy, FAO projections indicate that by 2050, tea cultivation could lose up to 40% of its yield potential in Northeast India, driven by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and increased pest pressure.

(With inputs from PTI.)