Assam continues to be plagued by weather, pests
Producers in the famous Assam region of India are continuing to experience huge production losses due to excessive rainfall and pest attacks. Regions largest tea companies have suffered drops of 20% and up for the month of June, as rainfall continues to exceed season averages. In 2010, many key tea-growing areas reported an increase in cumulative rainfall of 50 to 120 percent. Extremely wet weather and inadequate sunshine impedes photosynthesis leading to a sharp drop in the crop. Furthermore, plantations in Assam have been affected by a tea mosquito bug that is particularly hard to eradicate, given the stringent rules of the European Union in regards to pesticide residue levels.