Fresh rain raises hope on Darjeeling tea production

KOLKATA: The prospect of Darjeeling tea production has improved as rains lash the hills of north Bengal bringing some relief to Darjeeling tea planters. A long dry spell has affected the first flush Darjeeling tea which fetches high price in the world market.

Talking to ET, a senior Darjeeling planter said "Rains lashed Darjeeling tea estates from middle of May. We are hoping that second flush tea production will be better. The dry spell from the beginning of the new season had been a major concern to us." Darjeeling's 87 tea estates produce 8.5 - 9 million kg of tea annually.

The dry spell has affected nearly 20% of the first flush production. First flush production is around 1.8 - 2 million kg annually. Most of the first flush teas are sold privately and they hardly come to the auctions.

Prices of Darjeeling teas at the auctions have also appreciated by almost 6% in this week's sale as the availability is less. At sale number 21, held this week, Darjeeling tea was commanding a price of Rs 373 per kg in comparison to Rs 353 per kg at the same sale last year.

Interestingly, domestic consumption of Darjeeling tea is increasing annually as tea drinkers are gradually developing a taste for Darjeeling's famous muscatel flavour.