In Assam, tea production is much lower compared to last year as production in Terai and Dooars also remains lower. The rain was excessive in some months, including October while some months saw less rain. Production in the state, which is the largest tea producing state in the country, is likely to be 10 percent lower this year compared to last year's output. In southern India too production is down by 5-6 million kgs due to unfavourable weather conditions.
After missing the one billion kg mark by a whisker, the industry was hoping to meet the record figure in the 2012 calendar year but that is unlikely now. According to industry sources, production is likely to hover around 970 to 975 million kgs in 2012 as the output in both northern and southern India is down compared to 2011. It is also believed that production of the world-famous Darjeeling tea could see a slight dip this time around compared to last year.