El Niño casting a shadow over tea sector in Keralam as production declines

With El Niño affecting rainfall across Keralam, the tea sector in the State has seen declining output. According to plantation authorities, if the current low rainfall and drought-like conditions persist, it will continue to adversely affect the yields.

“Thousands of people depend, directly and indirectly, on income from the tea sector. If production drops further due to climate distress, it will severely affect estate operations,” said a local industry stakeholder.

According to data compiled by the United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI) Tea Research Foundation, Keralam’s tea sector saw a 2% production drop during the eight-month period from January to August.

“During the same period in 2025, the total tea production was 31.274 million kg; this year, it fell to 30.624 million kg,” according to the data.