A sharp decline in Tamil Nadu’s tea output during January this year due the frost and prolonged chilly weather conditions has pulled down the all-India production of the beverage during the month. The All-India tea production was lower by around 15 per cent at 14.50 million kgs against 17.15 million kg (mkg) a year ago, as per the estimates released by the Tea Board on Monday.
During January, the Tamil Nadu’s tea production fell by about 35 per cent due to severe frost conditions in the key producing regions of Nilgiris. Similarly, Munnar, the key producing region in Kerala also witnessed prolonged chilly conditions impacting the output.
Tea output in Tamil Nadu stood lower at 7.70 million kgs during January this year over the corresponding last month’s 11.94 million kgs. In Kerala, the tea output was down at 4.37 million, a decline of 10 per cent over 4.87 mkg a year ago. Karnataka also witnessed a dip in production at 0.28 mkg against 0.37 mkg a year ago.
Dormancy in North
The South Indian output was down by 28 per cent at 12.35 mkg during January over 17.08 mkg a year ago.
In North Indian tea-producing regions comprising Assam, West Bengal and other regions, which witness a dormancy phase for tea bushes during the winter months, saw a production of 2.15 mkg during January 2026 over 0.07 mkg a year ago. Production in Assam was up at 0.53 mkg during January against 0.03 m kg a year ago. In West Bengal, the production stood at 1.47 m kg during January over 0.03 mkg.
Categorywise the production of CTC teas was 11.34 m kg, while the orthodox tea output was 2.79 m kg and green tea was 0.37 m kg.
Published on March 2, 2026