Tea output falls by 1cr kg amid weather, labour issues

Infographic: TBS

Tea production in Bangladesh dropped by 1 crore kg in 2024 compared to 2023, with experts attributing the decline largely to erratic weather and labour strikes disrupting harvesting.

According to the Bangladesh Tea Board, after a record production of 10.29 crore kg in 2023, production dropped to 9.3 crore kg in 2024, marking a decrease of nearly 1 crore kg. 

In 2022, the country's 168 tea estates produced 9.38 crore kg of tea, compared to 9.65 crore kg in 2021. 

Tea estate owners and experts attribute the decline to erratic weather, including unpredictable rainfall, heavy downpours, and extreme heat.

Tea estates rely heavily on favourable weather conditions, especially during the June-October monsoon season, which is critical for high-quality tea production. However, 2024 saw erratic weather patterns with long dry spells followed by sudden heavy rainfall, damaging plant growth.

Dr Pijush Dutta, a member (research and development) of the Bangladesh Tea Board, said while rainfall did occur, it was not in the right patterns to support tea cultivation. 

He added, "Excessive rain flooded some areas while leaving others too dry, reducing plant productivity. Rising temperatures have also negatively impacted the plants. With the industry relying on traditional farming methods, the lack of climate adaptation strategies makes it harder to maintain consistent production."

AKM Rafiqul Haque, director of the Tea Board's Project Development Unit, noted that the ideal temperature for tea cultivation is between 18°C and 32°C. However, rising temperatures are now common in many tea-growing regions, alongside increased pest infestations, creating further challenges for tea farmers.

Insiders say labour strikes have also played a role in the production drop, with worker disputes causing delays in harvesting. Some tea estates in northern Bangladesh focused more on improving tea quality than on increasing production, contributing to the decline in output.

Auction price rises 

The decline in production and the reduced supply have led to higher tea auction prices, with the average price per kg rising from Tk187 in 2023-24 to Tk210 in 2024-25.

Despite the drop in domestic production, tea exports have more than doubled. 

In 2023, Bangladesh exported 10.4 lakh kg of tea, but exports rose to 24.5 lakh kg in 2024. This increase is likely due to last year's tea stock, which helped boost exports this year.

Bangladesh's lag in tea production

Tea industry experts have long pointed out that Bangladesh lags behind neighbouring countries in tea productivity. 

AFM Saiful Islam, professor at Sylhet Agricultural University, said Bangladesh produces 1,740 kg of tea per hectare on average, while India produces 2,500 kg, and Sri Lanka leads with 3,300 kg per hectare.

He added, "Bangladesh's tea plants are often outdated, with many being decades old and less productive than modern, high-yield varieties. Also, the country lacks modern farming techniques that could boost production."

Call for investment in climate-resilient varieties

To address the crisis, Saiful Islam called on the government to invest in high-yielding, climate-resilient tea varieties, focusing on drought-resistant plants that can endure extreme weather conditions.

He also pointed out that droughts have caused tea production to decline by 21-31% annually, while pest infestations further reduce yields by 25-30%.

The Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) has developed 23 new tea varieties, but only BT-2 has seen widespread adoption. 

Sylhet Agricultural University has also introduced four sustainable varieties, but their adoption has been slow due to a lack of awareness and funding.

"Investing in genetic engineering and biotechnology is essential for creating resilient tea varieties that can survive rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall. Expanding artificial irrigation systems would also help reduce dependency on seasonal rainfall," Saiful Islam concluded.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Kamran Tanvirur Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Tea Association, said, "Rising fertiliser prices and labour costs are making it harder for tea estates to stay afloat. In many cases, the cost of production exceeds the selling price, and securing bank financing for modernisation has become more difficult.

He added, "Immediate action is necessary to protect Bangladesh's tea industry from further decline. Policymakers must implement climate adaptation strategies, expand training programmes for tea farmers, and invest in modern irrigation technologies. Providing financial incentives for tea estates to transition to high-yielding tea varieties is also crucial."

"Despite these challenges, Bangladesh's tea industry remains a key part of the economy. 

"Without urgent action on climate change, outdated farming, and economic barriers, the industry may face future challenges. Ensuring sustainability is key to maintaining Bangladesh's place in the global tea market and supporting tea workers and estate owners," added Tanvirur.