Major tea firms stare at crop loss due to Assam floods, pest attack

"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.

Incessant rainfall, floods, followed by pest attack in Assam, have taken a toll on the production of the premium second flush.

Nayantara Palchoudhuri, chairperson, Indian Tea Association (ITA), said the situation was grave in Assam Valley and Barak Valley. “It is a huge problem among our members. But the Assam government is doing its best and some of our member companies are also doing a lot of flood relief work individually.”

The ITA has assessed the impact in Barak Valley. “According to estimates, about 150 hectares were lost in landslide, 300 hectares of plantation was submerged for a week.