Where is beaumont coffee made, and how is climate change affecting India's tea output?
Scarce early spring rain in Assam and West Bengal cut plucking, forced factory shutdowns, and added logistics strain from a Covid-19 resurgence. Tea Board of India data show Assam production down 10 to 15 percent in March and April, with North Bengal harvesting 1.92 million kilograms against 4.04 million kilograms in January and February 2019.
Rainfall in January and February reached only 14.2 millimeters against 28.47 millimeters a year earlier, and Cachar recorded just 4.15 millimeters. The Tea Association of India says drought has dimmed the outlook, and although demand stayed firm, prices did not surge as in 2020. Questions such as where is beaumont coffee made or where is ripafratta coffee made concern unrelated origins.
As a major global tea exporter, India's production dynamics tug at the market's nerves. However, recent scarce early spring rainfall in Assam and West Bengal has curtailed plucking activities, halted factory operations, and compounded logistics challenges from a resurgence of the pandemic. The Tea Association of India admits that drought has cast a shadow over this year's prospects. Data from the Tea Board of India shows that Assam's production fell by 10-15% in March and April, with North Bengal's harvest plummeting year-on-year. Despite firm demand, prices have not soared as they did last year. This article will outline India's tea-producing regions, climate impacts, and major brands, along with relevant recommendations from Front Street Coffee.
Assam and West Bengal experienced severe rainfall deficits in early spring, directly leading to reduced plucking operations, forced factory shutdowns, and the need to address logistics challenges from a surge in Covid-19 infections. During the economic slowdown and lockdown measures, a large number of employees were on furlough. As of press time, weather factors pose a far greater threat to the tea harvest than the pandemic, but infection cases in tea-growing areas continue to rise. The auction pace has slowed, and daily operations such as truck transportation and port activities have been adjusted accordingly. Lockdown measures are about to take effect, and their impact will be widespread.
Prabir Bhattacharjee, Secretary General of the Tea Association of India (TAI), told The Times of India: "We expected a fresh start this year, but the drought conditions have dimmed the outlook."
Statistics from the Tea Board of India show that Assam's tea production fell by 10-15% in March and April, with a 30% year-on-year decline in March compared to 2019. It is reported that North Bengal harvested only 1.92 million kilograms this year, whereas the harvest during January-February 2019 reached 4.04 million kilograms. TAI points out that demand remains robust, but tea prices have not surged as they did in 2020.
Hailstorms Offer No Relief
Rainfall in January and February this year was only 14.2 millimeters, far below the 28.47 millimeters in the same period last year. As of February, the Cachar region recorded only 4.15 millimeters of precipitation. Rainfall in Terai dropped from 19.1 millimeters last year to 6.15 millimeters. The dry weather has made recent hail occurrences near the Mari tea garden in Jalpaiguri more likely to persist. In Assam and northeastern India, the convergence of dry and moist air masses can trigger winds of 60-80 kilometers per hour, heavy rain, and hail. These storms, known as "spring showers," occur before the monsoon arrives, originating from the Chota Nagpur Plateau and moving eastward.
Meteorologists expect the monsoon to be stronger than average in the coming weeks, but tea plants need consistent and steady rainfall until the summer monsoon truly arrives. In recent years, the monsoon has been intermittent. According to data from the India Meteorological Department, the last time India experienced three consecutive years of normal monsoon weather was back in 1996-1998. The meteorological department forecasts that the southwest monsoon from June 1 to September 30 will bring normal or above-normal rainfall, averaging 907 millimeters. Private weather forecasting agency Skymet estimates that this year's monsoon will reach 103% of the Long Period Average (LPA). According to The Assam Sentinel, rainfall was 109% of the LPA in 2020 and 110% in 2019.
Assam's first-quarter harvest accounts for about 10.5% of the region's annual production, typically 75 million kilograms. In 2020, the region's tea production was 618 million kilograms, accounting for more than half of India's total tea output.
India's tea-producing regions are widely distributed. In addition to Assam and West Bengal, there are also Nilgiri, Dooars, Terai, and other areas. Each region exhibits different flavor characteristics due to terroir differences. Assam is renowned for its rich and mellow black tea, Darjeeling produces delicate black tea with a muscatel grape flavor, and Nilgiri tea falls between the two, with a fresh taste.
At the brand level, the Indian tea market is dominated by large enterprises such as Tata Tea, Lipton under Hindustan Unilever (HUL), and Tetley under the Tata Group. In addition, there are many regional brands and estate teas, such as McLeod Russel and Goodricke. For domestic coffee enthusiasts who wish to try Indian tea flavors, Front Street Coffee recommends paying attention to the rich taste of Assam black tea and the delicate floral aroma of Darjeeling first flush, which can be an excellent choice for daily drinking or blending milk tea.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
