Archive · 4 Sep 2025
Drought and Heat Threaten India's Tea Production, Exports
Imagine tea plants are like us, and they need the right weather to thrive.
In India, especially in the Assam region, it's getting hotter and drier.
This makes it harder for the tea plants to grow their leaves, which is what we drink.
Because there is less tea being made, this makes the price go up.
The lack of rain and the heat are causing problems for the tea industry, affecting the workers who pick the tea and the people who buy it.
With India possibly making and exporting less tea, there might be less tea for everyone around the world, potentially making tea more expensive.
Changing weather patterns are causing tea harvests to shrink, particularly in Assam, India.
Decreased rainfall and rising temperatures are the 'new normal,' according to the Tea Research Association.
Last year's output drop boosted tea prices by almost a fifth.
Domestic consumption is increasing, potentially shrinking exports from the world's second-largest tea producer.
Heat and drought also impact workers' ability to harvest the tea.
- Who
- Tea planters, workers, and the Indian Tea Association
- What
- Drought and heat are diminishing tea harvests in India, impacting exports.
- When
- Data from 1921-2024 and recent seasons.
- Where
- Tea plantations, particularly in Assam, India.
- Why
- Changing weather patterns, including decreased rainfall and rising temperatures, are stressing the tea industry.
- Assam Rainfall Decline (1921-2024)
- Over 250 mm (10 inches)
- Minimum Temperature Increase
- 1.2 degrees Celsius (34.2 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Monsoon Rainfall (Current Season)
- 38% below average
- India's Tea Output Decline (Last Year)
- 7.8%
- Average Tea Price Increase (Last Year)
- Nearly a fifth, to 201.28 rupees a kg
- Domestic Consumption Increase (Past Decade)
- 23%
- India's Tea Imports (2024)
- Record 45.3 million kg
