By Sutanuka Ghosal
Raw tea leaf prices dropped nearly 50% year-on-year in August to ₹14/kg due to rising low-cost imports from Kenya and Nepal and export uncertainty. Retail tea prices also fell 10–15%. This has hurt 24 million small growers across India. Oversupply, weak exports, and softening auction prices suggest continued pressure on prices through 2025, say industry leaders.