Introduction:Faced with the dual pressures of drought and extreme weather, India, a globally significant tea exporter, is grappling with challenges in both supply chains and harvests. This article delves into how climate change in major producing regions such as Assam and West Bengal is impacting actual yields, explores the flavor profiles of teas from various areas, and reviews major market-dominant tea brands along with promising regional ones — helping you grasp global tea market trends and make informed selections.
India has long been a pillar of global tea exports, but recently it has faced mounting pressures from both climate and the pandemic. Especially in the two core producing regions of Assam and West Bengal, rainfall during early spring has been noticeably scarce, not only leading to a sharp reduction in harvestable tea leaves, but also disrupting processing and shipping schedules at tea factories. At the same time, the logistics bottlenecks caused by renewed COVID-19 outbreaks have not yet fully eased, and the entire industry chain is facing severe tests.
The Tea Board of India admits that persistent drought has made the start of this year highly uncertain. According to official statistics from the Indian Tea Committee, between March and April 2023, tea production in Assam dropped by 10% to 15% compared to the same period last year, with some areas even seeing declines as high as 30% compared to 2019. The situation in North Bengal is equally grim, with harvests in the first two months of this year totaling just 1.92 million kilograms, a significant drop from 4.04 million kilograms during the same period in 2019.
Although market demand remains stable, prices have not surged as dramatically as they did in the early stages of the 2020 pandemic. Analysis indicates that the impact of weather on production this time is far greater than that of the pandemic itself, but infection rates continue to rise across various producing areas, adding further uncertainty to future production. Additionally, auction activity has slowed markedly, while truck transportation and port operations have been adjusted due to policy measures. Once new lockdowns are officially implemented, the overall supply chain will come under even greater pressure.
Prabir Bhattacharyya, Secretary General of the Tea Association of India, told the media: “We had hoped for an improvement this year, but the ongoing drought has made the outlook very uncertain.” This remark reflects the widespread concern within the industry about this year’s tea production season.
Rainfall in January and February of this year was even lower, recorded at just 14.2 mm, far below the 28.47 mm seen during the same period last year. Among them, the Cachar region received only 4.15 mm of rain in February, while the Jirang area saw rainfall drop from 19.1 mm last year to just 6.15 mm. Such dry conditions also make extreme weather events such as hail more likely — for instance, a brief but intense hailstorm was reported near the Mary Tea Estate in the city of Jalpaiguri.
In Assam and northeastern India, the collision of cold and warm air masses can easily trigger strong winds, heavy rain, and hail — weather phenomena referred to as “spring showers.” These typically occur before the monsoon arrives, originating from the Chota Nagpur Plateau and gradually moving eastward. Such weather patterns can significantly affect tender leaf plucking and the growth of tea plants.
Meteorologists point out that although monsoon intensity in the coming weeks may be higher than average, what tea plants actually need more is stable and consistent rainfall rather than brief heavy downpours. Observing recent years, India’s monsoon performance has become increasingly unstable — since 1996–1998, there has not been a single three-year period where the monsoon seasons all fell within normal ranges. According to forecasts by India’s Meteorological Department, the southwest monsoon from June 1 to September 30, 2023, is expected to be normal or slightly above normal, with total rainfall estimated at around 907 mm. Private weather agency Skymet, meanwhile, estimates that this year’s monsoon rainfall could reach 103% of the long-term average.
Looking back at 2020, India’s overall rainfall was 109% of the long-term average, and in 2019 it was even 110%, showing that recent climate volatility has become increasingly pronounced. Notably, the first-quarter tea harvest in Assam accounts for approximately 10.5% of the annual total, usually reaching around 75 million kilograms — but in 2020, the region’s annual output was 618 million kilograms, accounting for more than half of India’s total tea production, highlighting its crucial role.
India’s tea-producing regions are diverse, including not only Assam and West Bengal but also Nilgiri, Dooars, and Terai. Each region, due to differences in geography and microclimate, produces teas with distinct flavors. For example, Assam is known for its bold and malty black teas, favored by those who enjoy a strong taste; Darjeeling tea is celebrated for its delicate black teas with unique muscatel aromas, making it a star product in the premium market; Nilgiri tea falls somewhere in between, offering a fresh taste with subtle floral notes, suitable for everyday drinking.
In terms of brands, the Indian tea market is dominated by several large corporations, including Tata Tea, Lipton (owned by Hindustan Unilever), and Tetley (a subsidiary of the Tata Group). There are also many regionally focused brands and well-known estate teas deeply rooted in local markets, such as McLeod Russel and Goodricke, offering a wide range of choices and high-quality teas.
For consumers who enjoy coffee but also want to explore the world of tea, it is recommended to start with the rich, mellow body of Assam black tea, or choose a Darjeeling first flush tea to experience its delicate floral and fruity notes. These tea varieties are not only suitable for daily drinking, but also make excellent bases for blending milk tea or crafting specialty beverages.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
