The tea industry has encountered a decline in crop production as it commenced the year 2024, according to reports from Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers. Tea production in January amounted to 18.73 million kilos, reflecting a decrease of 2% or 0.4 million kilos compared to the same period last year.
The data further indicates that all elevations, with the exception of the medium grown elevation, experienced a reduction in crop yield compared to January 2023. In contrast to the 22.87 million kilos harvested in January 2022, the production for January 2024 witnessed a significant decline of 4.14 million kilos or 18%.
The tea industry’s performance in 2023 showed a slight improvement, albeit indicating ongoing challenges due to past policy decisions and the impacts of climate change. Total production in 2023 amounted to 256.04 million kilos, representing a modest increase of 4.20 million kilos from the previous year’s total of 251.84 million kilos. Notably, the December crop in 2023 recorded a marginal year-on-year growth of 0.51%, reaching 19.81 million kilos.
The fluctuations in tea production underscore the industry’s resilience in navigating various challenges, including policy changes and environmental factors. As stakeholders continue to adapt and innovate, they remain committed to sustaining the tea sector’s growth and resilience in the face of evolving dynamics.