Kolkata: Unfavourable weather conditions have hit the production of the ‘first flush’ Darjeeling tea this year. Darjeeling tea, often called the champagne of tea, is the highest revenue earner for the industry.
According to industry estimates, production till the third week of April has come down by as much as 40%. First flush, distinguished by its gentle and light colour and aroma, is harvested in mid-March following spring rains.
“There has been much lower rainfall this year and the production came down by 40% from last year’s level,” said Sandip Mukherjee, secretary of Darjeeling Tea Association. Tea bushes in Darjeeling require a rainfall of around 3-4 inches during October-March while it received 0.5 inches this year.
Lower rainfall was accompanied by prolonged low temperature beyond February this year.
According to planters, the hills received a rainfall of 3.8 mm in December 2009 when the production came down to a historic low. This year, Darjeeling has not received any rain in December.
While in 2011, gardens in Darjeeling produced 9.7 m kg against 8.8 m kg a year ago, 3.7 m kg was produced in first six months last year. While the first flush constitutes 25-40% of Darjeeling’s production, it earns almost half of the crop’s annual revenue. The first flush price varies between R2,000 and R5,000 per kg.
“We have not seen much increase in the first flush demand this year from our overseas clients,” said Ashok Lohia, chairman of Chamong Tea Exports. Unlike the Darjeeling crop for rest of the year, a large portion of the first flush tea is sold through private auction.
On the back of a muted demand from overseas buyers, prices for Darjeeling tea have not increased much this year. The high quality first flush tea is sold at around 15% higher price than last year’s level. “On an average, prices are marginally better than last year,” said AN Singh, managing director of Goodricke.
According to industry estimates, production till the third week of April has come down by as much as 40%. First flush, distinguished by its gentle and light colour and aroma, is harvested in mid-March following spring rains.
“There has been much lower rainfall this year and the production came down by 40% from last year’s level,” said Sandip Mukherjee, secretary of Darjeeling Tea Association. Tea bushes in Darjeeling require a rainfall of around 3-4 inches during October-March while it received 0.5 inches this year.
Lower rainfall was accompanied by prolonged low temperature beyond February this year.
According to planters, the hills received a rainfall of 3.8 mm in December 2009 when the production came down to a historic low. This year, Darjeeling has not received any rain in December.
While in 2011, gardens in Darjeeling produced 9.7 m kg against 8.8 m kg a year ago, 3.7 m kg was produced in first six months last year. While the first flush constitutes 25-40% of Darjeeling’s production, it earns almost half of the crop’s annual revenue. The first flush price varies between R2,000 and R5,000 per kg.
“We have not seen much increase in the first flush demand this year from our overseas clients,” said Ashok Lohia, chairman of Chamong Tea Exports. Unlike the Darjeeling crop for rest of the year, a large portion of the first flush tea is sold through private auction.
On the back of a muted demand from overseas buyers, prices for Darjeeling tea have not increased much this year. The high quality first flush tea is sold at around 15% higher price than last year’s level. “On an average, prices are marginally better than last year,” said AN Singh, managing director of Goodricke.
financialexpress.com/
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