TEA INDUSTRY
Cool beans! Cafes are having a field day this summer
National chains such as Third Wave Coffee, Chaayos, AbCoffee, and Boba Bhai have seen a notable increase in foot traffic at their cafes, particularly in northern India, despite the region grappling with record summer temperatures. These cafes are also experiencing increased demand for summer-specific items through delivery services. Also, their appeal as hubs for remote work and meetings is further boosting footfalls.
African, Asian tea producers flag concerns over global demand-supply mismatch
Tea producers in Asia and Africa called for balance between global demand and supply, highlighting quality and sustainability concerns at a recent industry meeting in Dubai. The Indian Tea Association and other stakeholders addressed challenges such as declining consumption in Europe and Asia, climate change impacts, and economic obstacles like the Russia-Ukraine conflict affecting tea exports. They emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to address these issues and sustain the industry's productivity.
Combined fall in tea production in north India till June-end seen at 60 Mkg less than in same period last year
Sandeep Singhania, President, Tea Association of India stated that the Production figure of North Indian Tea Industry reflect a precarious state of affairs in the industry, consequent to the constant onslaught of insufficient rainfall and excessive heat, hampering production of the crop to a great extent during the current cropping season up to the month of May 2024.
Cannes Lions 2024: India off to a good start with one silver, two bronzes
India performed well on the first day of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, often referred to as the Oscars of the ad-world. They secured one Silver and two Bronze Lions. Ogilvy Mumbai was awarded a Silver Lion for their innovative 'Megh Santoor' campaign for Brooke Bond Taj Mahal tea, featuring a musical billboard that played 'Raag Megh Malhar' when it rained.
Labour shortage hits Tiruppur apparel units as migrant workers who went home to vote not willing to return
Tiruppur, known as the 'knitwear capital' of India, is facing a labor shortage as thousands of migrant workers, who returned to their hometowns to vote in the recent Lok Sabha elections, are hesitant to come back. This crisis arises just as export inquiries from the US are beginning to show signs of improvement. Approximately 100,000-150,000 workers, primarily from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal, are believed to be missing from the workforce.
Agar is next tea and oil for Assam if developed systematically: Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota
Kota said that the climate and the landscape of Assam are best suited for agar tree plantation. There is a high demand of agarwood of Assam in the global markets particularly, Middle East because of its best quality aroma. Besides, huge domestic market of favours and perfumes is also knocking the door’.
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Tea brand Freshleaf raises Rs 1 cr in seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures
Vikram Ramasubramanian, Partner, Inflection Point Ventures says, “Freshleaf’s approach to crafting premium teas combined with health benefits presents an exciting opportunity for us to contribute to a startup that is set to redefine the tea industry. We believe in Freshleaf’s dedication to fostering a culture of health, wellness and taste.”
Dry spell impact: Darjeeling tea prices shoots up 10-15% this season
Darjeeling tea has been facing nature's wrath for quite some time now. In 2022, Darjeeling tea production was 6.93 million kg. In 2023, it dwindled to 6.18 million kg. Violent agitations in the hills in 2017 and recent resurgence in the demand for Gorkhaland ahead of the ongoing elections, too, have impacted the gardens and their profitability in a big way even as demand is growing within the country, industry insiders said.
Tea Association of India flags a strange phenomenon
Tea Association of India (TAI) stated that the strange phenomenon of drop in crop production with no concomitant rise in prices is in stark contrast to the 2020 scenario when drop in production due to covid closure caused a sharp rise in realization of tea prices.
Production of tea down all over India by 13 million kg
Tea industry in season 2024 faces challenges with production declines, weather issues, and financial stress. Darjeeling sector seeks relief package for survival amidst declining yields and prices.
Bad news for chai lovers! Heat wave worries reach North Bengal as tea biz suffers
Certain districts of North Bengal are experiencing high temperatures, adversely affecting the tea crop. Under these conditions, the tea bushes turn red, and leaf growth ceases, leading to a 30-35 percent crop shortage in the industry. Satish Mitruka, a tea planter from Siliguri, told ANI that tea thrives best in temperatures between 28-30 degrees Celsius, both for quality and quantity. Any temperature above this range is unfavorable for tea growth.
Bubble tea brand Boba Bhai raises Rs 12.5 crore from Titan Capital, others
Boba Bhai, a quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand specialising in bubble tea and other food items, said it will use the capital for its plan to expand to 100 outlets within the next 12 months. "Our goal is to expand in tier-1 cities within the next six months and then go to tier-2 and tier-3 cities,” founder Dhruv Kohli said.
Tea and basmati traders halt West Asia exports
Basmati rice is another agri-commodity which Iran imports from India. In FY24, India exported one million kg of basmati rice to Iran, out of its total exports of 4.9 million kg.
Tea industry issues hold key in north Bengal polls
The sector is plagued by the twin blows of rising production costs and lower price realisation at the auctions, former Tea Board chairman P K Bezbaruah said. This might have thrown the planters' business and livelihood of 4.5 lakh tea garden workers into jeopardy, but political parties get an opportunity to woo them with promises.
Assam urges Centre to consider deferring enforcement of sale of 100% dust grades tea through auction
"We urge you to issue appropriate orders on priority, keeping in mind the best interests of the tea industry in Assam and, more importantly, the welfare of small tea growers and associated stakeholders. Your prompt action in this regard will be highly appreciated."
Assam anticipates investment opportunities from HUL: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Sarma said on X, “Today in Mumbai, I had an excellent discussion with Mr. Dev Bajpai of Hindustan Unilever Limited & Mr. Prashant Mehta and Mr Saurav Sharma of Lilavati Medical Trust. Assam is looking forward to new investment opportunities by HUL including enhanced value addition to our tea industry. We anticipate an enthusiastic participation by Lilavati Trust in the State’s healthcare sector.”
North Eastern Tea Association urges Assam govt to engage cricketer Dhoni as brand ambassador of Assam tea
North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) advocates M S Dhoni as Assam tea ambassador. The 21st Biennial General Meeting (BGM) of NET was held at Guwahati recently. Chairman of NETA Kamal Jalan, during his speech stated, “In a liberalised globalised economy we feel there is no need for Government to issue a notification to compulsorily sell certain percentage of tea through public auction. The Government should not try to regulate one segment of the trade (in this case, it is the tea producers) where Govt has no control on the market forces. "
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha laid the foundation stone of state’s first tea auction centre
After laying the foundation stone of the proposed tea auction center, the Chief Minister said on the X: “A leap towards development of tea industry in Tripura. Today laid the foundation stone of Agartala Tea e-Auction Centre was laid at Gurkhabasti complex. This will largely benefit the tea growers of the State & take Tripura tea to new heights”
Assam: Tinsukia achieves landmark as the first legacy-waste-free district in Northeast
Tinsukia, in Northeast India, becomes the first district to eliminate 1.53 Lakh Metric Ton of legacy waste using bio-mining. The project yields 80 bighas of reclaimed land and establishes Tinsukia as a model district for land reclamation through bio-mining.
Oversupply in global markets to hit Indian tea prices, exports
CK Dhanuka, chairman of Dhunseri Tea & Industries, said, "The excess tea in the global markets that has been carried over from last year will impact the prices and exports of Indian tea." The geopolitical tension and the rising fear of economic recession have impacted the global tea markets in 2023.
Corporate actions this week: NMDC, Jupiter Wagons to go ex-dividend, South Indian Bank right issue and more
There are a host of corporate actions scheduled for this week. Natco Pharma, Suprajit Engineering, NMDC, and Jupiter Wagons will trade ex-dividend, while The South Indian Bank's rights issue's ex-date is fixed this week.
Budget 2024: Assam tea industry seeks exports promotion policy
Interim Budget Expectations: The ailing tea industry in Assam is hoping for proper promotion and export improvement in the upcoming Union interim budget. The industry is facing oversupply in the domestic market and tepid export demand. The Bharatiya Chai Parishad has also urged state government to reduce the industry's social cost burden. India is the fourth-largest tea exporter and contributes 23% to global tea output.
Cultivation in Assam goes beyond tea: 4.8 acres land used for growing maize in Tinsukia
The experiment with Maize cultivation in Tinsukia, Assam aims to meet India's biofuel needs by increasing corn production. The area, known for tea cultivation, is expanding its agricultural output to include maize. The Union government has signed off on a plan to procure maize at fixed minimum support prices.
Technological intervention can play a transformative role: President of Tea Association of India
President of Tea Association of India, Ajay Jalan, emphasizes the transformative role of technological intervention in addressing rising costs, workers shortage, and climate change. Precision agriculture, automation, and AI-driven systems can increase quality, productivity, and reduce production costs. Tea production in India has increased by 39% in the last 15 years, reaching 1366 mkgs in 2022.
Tea plantations may be a dying breed, but small-time producers have become the lifeline for chai lovers
India’s mainstream tea industry appears to have little interest in these small producers. Luckily, the internet allows them to sell to tealovers around the world — while the larger tea industry continues its steady decline.
All India Institute of Ayurveda to research health benefits of tea
The MoU is aimed at undertaking research in the tea estates of AYCL and discover its various health benefits of tea including exploring possibilities for possible applications in the Ayurvedic line of medication and treatments.
Low export demand and sluggish rural consumption to dampen tea realisations for North India estates, says ICRA
The all-India production of bulk teas in the first 10 months of CY2023moderated by 22 Mkg (~2%) on a YoY basis and ICRA expects the full-year production to ease by ~1% compared to CY2022. Tea output in Kenya is likely to increase in CY2023 over the previous year, given that their production in 8M CY2023 is already up by ~7% on a YoY basis.
Cheap Nepal tea imports deepen crisis for Darjeeling industry
Sandeep Mukherjee, principal adviser of Darjeeling Tea Association said “Of the 87 tea estates in Darjeeling, 7 are permanently closed. Many of them are somehow surviving and are not able to clear the statutory dues of the workers. The fate of the Darjeeling industry is uncertain and we do not know how long the gardens will continue their operations.”
Small tea growers seek cooperation and support from organized sectors and government
The National Small Tea Grower's Conference 2023 highlighted the significance of small tea growers (STGs) in the Indian tea industry and the challenges they face. They called for increased cooperation and support from organized sectors and government agencies to enhance their agricultural practices.
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