Nepali Tea Exporters Face Crisis as India Tightens Quality Checks
Himalayan tea growers are struggling financially as over 90% of their orthodox tea exports head to India, which has introduced stricter quality controls. A tea consultant claims Nepali tea has surpassed the Darjeeling brand.
Nepali tea exporters are facing a cash crunch after India implemented stricter quality inspections on imported orthodox tea. More than 90% of Nepal's orthodox tea production is shipped to India, making the new checks a major threat to the industry's liquidity.
"Nepali tea has already overtaken the Darjeeling brand," a veteran tea consultant commented. The tighter border controls risk disrupting a key export revenue stream for Himalayan growers, who rely heavily on the Indian market.
Source: First Squawk