Tea output under pressure on weather woes in India
India's tea regions continue to suffer from fluctuating weather conditions and experts now predict this year's production to come in 70 to 80 million kilograms lower than last year. A crop of 108 million kgs in September had given hope to growers in Assam and Bengal regions of India, which account for the majority of country's tea production. However, October dampened those expectations due to erratic weather conditions and the festive season that had impacted plucking. The shortage is expected to keep tea prices high for the upcoming months. India has suffered from unfavorable weather and pest attacks during first and second flush periods earlier this year.