Plucking of the first flush tea in Darjeeling may be delayed this year due to unfavorable weather conditions in the hills. The usual plucking period, which typically starts in mid-March and continues through the first week of May, may be pushed back this year.
Ashok Kumar Lohia, chairman of the Chamong group, mentioned that the current weather in Darjeeling is dry with below-normal temperatures. The plucking season usually kicks off around March 14-15, but this year, it may be delayed due to the unfavorable weather conditions.
The first flush crop in Darjeeling makes up about 20% of the total tea production in the region and accounts for around 40% of the annual revenue for Darjeeling tea producers. This premium tea is highly sought after for its quality and price, depending on favorable weather conditions for both quantity and quality.
Last year, the production of Darjeeling tea dropped below 6 million kgs, marking one of the lowest outputs in recent history. This decline was attributed to adverse weather conditions and a decrease in demand. Additionally, competition from Nepal tea has impacted the demand for Darjeeling tea in the domestic market, with traders opting for the more cost-effective Nepali variety.
In overseas markets, Darjeeling tea is popular, with shipments totaling around 3-3.25 million kgs annually. Europe and Japan are significant markets for this premium tea, which was the first product in India to receive a geographical indication (GI) tag.
Overall, the delay in plucking the first flush tea in Darjeeling is a result of the current unfavorable weather conditions, impacting both production and demand for this prized tea.
