Darjeeling Tea Production Plunges 61 Percent, Threatening Industry’s Future

Darjeeling is famous for making tea in the Himalayan foothills.

Its tea production has fallen sharply over the past 35 years.

Older tea plants now produce leaves that can make rougher and more bitter tea.

Some customers are choosing tea from places such as Assam instead.

Floods and landslides have also damaged tea plantations.

Tea from Nepal is cheaper and can taste similar, and some of it is sold as Darjeeling tea.

At the same time, wages, fuel and fertiliser have become more expensive.

The Indian Tea Association wants government help to protect the industry and its workers.

Darjeeling tea is still popular in India and other countries.