The agreement expresses the parties' interests in continuing exclusive discussions in the matter and does not create any legally binding obligation on any party, it added
'Tea price trajectory of the last decade reflects a prolonged phase of stagnation in price growth which consequently pushed a large segment of the industry into crisis'
Data available on the Tea Board website showed that India's production in 2020-2021 had stood at 1,283.03 million kg and volumes at the auctions were around 547 mkg
"Our quick estimate indicates that the crop in June 2022 is lower by at least 20-25 per cent over June last year," said Sujit Patra, secretary, exports & market promotion, ITA.
The report also said that as tea is a fixed cost-intensive industry, a decline in the crop will substantially increase the cost of production for the NI bulk tea industry
Tea estates in Assam and West Bengal, after closure for three weeks during lockdown, resumed operations from April, 12, 2020 with partial manpower utilisation