Tea price rise in India

Mumbai, May 21 (ANI): The cup of tea that cheers, is threatening to loose its charm in India, as tea prices rise due to a dry spell.

As companies increase prices by 30 to 40 rupees per kilogram, retail price also go up accordingly.

The president of federation of tea traders association of Maharashtra said the hot summer was taking its toll on plucking of tea leaves in the major tea-producing states.

"As there is no rain, there is no production of green leaf. The crop of tea is very poor and on account of that production of tea is very low at the old tea garden in south India and north India. Thereby the stock of tea offering at the old tea auction centre conducted in south and north India is at 50 per cent.

Thereby prices have gone up at the tea auction centre," said Harendra Shah, president of federation of tea traders association.

As price of tea leaves rise, the tea vendors are forced to compromise on quality.

"Now there is a difference in quality while making tea. We have to manage the expenses for our own food, livelihood and to pay the labourers by selling tea. Day by day the quality would be deteriorating. Although it is not affecting consumers presently but if day by day quality keeps on deteriorating, then it would definitely affect the commoners and consumers," Rajesh Gupta, tea stall owner.

"Earlier I used to drink 4-5 cups of tea daily but now I have cut it down to 2-3 cups as the tea leaves have become costlier and the tea vendors have increased the prices. Now I have to drink less tea," said Rizwan Khan, a consumer.

India, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Kenya together produce 75 percent of the total global output. (ANI)