Rising costs, political unrest, Covid-19: Triple whammy for tea industry

The tea industry, hit by rising costs, falling prices and political unrest in the North Bengal plantations, is especially vulnerable to the Covid-19 lockdown

Boutique teas from Darjeeling, the “Champagne of teas” normally sell at record prices. But this year, the prized first flush is nearly lost to lockdown measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 outbreak, and the industry is in trouble.

“The entire crop is lost,” said Atul Asthana, managing director at the Goodricke Group, which owns some of the best gardens like Castleton, Ma­rgaret’s Hope, Badamtam, Barnesbeg and others. “There will neither be any record nor any boutique production from Darjeeling,” he added.

Boutique teas have fetched mind-boggling prices in the past. Like Makaibari tea estate owned by Luxmi Tea sold a limited