Darjeeling gardens may post losses this year due to indefinite shutdown

Tea gardens are expected to post at least 3-4 per cent net loss in the current financial year

Already reeling under the stress of higher cost of production and declining profitability, nearly all of the 87 tea gardens in Darjeeling are expected to post at least 3-4 per cent net loss in their balance sheet for the current financial year in face of the prevalent indefinite shutdown in the hills which has stalled prime production.

While the Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) has estimated the immediate loss to be over Rs 100 crore, other industry officials peg the number higher at Rs 150 crore if export value additions are taken into consideration.

At this time