Nepal tea exports hit as producers suspend output after India tightens import checks

Nepalese tea producers said production would stop indefinitely from Thursday. The decision followed new Indian rules that increased checks on imported tea. India is the main buyer for Nepal’s tea. Producers said shipments were getting held up after the change. The suspension was mainly announced by growers and factories based in Ilam district.

Representative image

The Tea Board of India said the tighter process began last week. Tea Board of India Deputy Chairman C Murugan said, "We have started 100 per cent checking of all tea entering India, including from Nepal,\". C Murugan said the move aimed to protect consumers and keep quality rules for imports.

India tea quality checks tighten at the border

The Tea Board said the updated inspections were meant to match Indian quality standards. Officials said the checks covered tea for local sale and tea used for blending. The policy also applied to tea that later gets re-exported. Nepalese producers said the new approach made exports harder, as each shipment faced full testing.

Nepal tea producers suspend production after India tea quality checks

The Nepalese Tea Producers Association said exporters were struggling after the new Indian regulation. The group said producers across the Himalayan nation were affected. Most of the producers involved were in Koshi province’s Ilam district. The association said the export disruption left them with limited options, leading to the production halt.

Nepal tea exports to India hit as India tea quality checks increase

At a press meet on Wednesday, the association’s general secretary Shukra Dahal said exports to India were worth about Rs 5 billion each year. Shukra Dahal urged the government to seek other markets. Shukra Dahal named Bangladesh and Pakistan as possible alternatives. Producers said these steps could reduce reliance on India.

Nepal government responds to India tea quality checks issue

In parliament on Wednesday, Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary addressed the export concerns. Gita Chaudhary said the government was taking technical and diplomatic initiatives. The minister responded to lawmakers’ questions during the session. Gita Chaudhary said efforts were moving in a positive direction for affected tea exporters.

With inputs from PTI