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Tea Board Vows 100% Import Quality Checks
3 Jan
Summary
- 100% quality testing for tea imports to stop cheap varieties.
- Cheap imports from Nepal and Vietnam harm the Indian tea industry.
- ₹1,500 crore allocated for tea development, benefiting small growers.
The Indian Tea Board is set to enforce stringent 100% quality testing on all tea imports to prevent the entry of cheap, sub-standard products. This move comes in response to industry concerns that inferior teas from countries like Nepal and Vietnam are undermining the domestic market and harming producers, especially in regions like Darjeeling.
The Tea Board will act as a facilitator, supporting the industry through measures such as generic promotion of Indian tea globally. A significant initiative includes the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme, allocating ₹1,500 crore over the next five years to support the sector, with a focus on extending benefits to small tea growers.
Industry leaders highlight the critical need to restrict duty-free imports of cheap teas, emphasizing that this is crucial for the survival of the Darjeeling tea industry. Stakeholders also suggest worker participation through equity in managing closed gardens as a viable strategy for industry resilience and survival.
