Darjeeling tea industry was a “patient in ICU” and virtually on its death bed, Indian Tea Exporters' Association (ITEA) Chairman Anshuman Kanoria said on Thursday.  

For the Darjeeling tea industry to survive, some government support was needed in the form of subsidy which would help stave off the threat posed by tea from Nepal, Mr Kanoria added. 

Speaking at a session organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in Kolkata, Mr Kanoria said: “Darjeeling tea is an emotion for us. It flows in our blood. Today, the Darjeeling tea industry is a patient in ICU, virtually in its death bed.” 

The closure of the gardens due to political agitation in 2017, followed by lockdowns had caused huge financial loss to the industry as a whole, Mr Kanoria said. 

“A lot of foreign buyers had been turned away and this gave an opportunity to our neighbour (Sri Lanka) to capture some of the export market,” he added. 

Mr Kanoria pointed out that the challenge from Nepal had become serious as it was infiltrating the Indian market. 

“With the Darjeeling crop down to 6.5 million kilograms per annum, the production in Nepal has gone up to 6 million kilograms. We have a serious competitor now,” he noted.