ITA flags financial stress in Indian tea despite record 280M kg exports in 2025
Indian Tea Association warns of margin squeeze as auction prices fall 7.13% to Rs 186.92/kg, Q1 2026 production drops 11.22%, Nepal imports surge to 11.70M kg, and Darjeeling output slides to 5.3M kg. ITA seeks minimum price mechanism and RoDTEP revisions even as exports hit Rs 8,488 crore.
What happened
Indian Tea Association · ITA flags financial stress in India's tea sector despite record 280 million kg exports in 2025, citing falling auction prices, climate
Key facts
- 280.40 million kg exports 2025
- Rs 8,488.43 crore export value
- auction price down 7.13% to Rs 186.92/kg
- production -11.22% in Q1 2026
- Nepal imports 11.70 million kg
- Darjeeling output 5.3 million kg
Why this matters
Distressed Darjeeling estates at 5.3M kg output and broader financial stress signal a buyer's window for consolidation plays, especially specialty gardens with export-grade RoDTEP exposure.
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