Guwahati: Ongoing conflict in West Asia is disrupting Assam's tea exports, particularly within the premium Orthodox tea market. According to the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, the crisis has caused a noticeable decline in demand over the last six weeks as exporters grapple with mounting logistical hurdles.
GTAC Secretary Dinesh Bihani said that shipments to the region now face transit times of up to 50 days. Rising insurance costs and payment uncertainty have further complicated trade, forcing buyers to place smaller, more cautious orders. This downturn follows a record-breaking year for Orthodox tea, raising fears among producers that they may eventually need to shift toward CTC production or accept lower prices if the instability continues.
To mitigate these losses, exporters are currently looking to diversify their international reach. While Russia remains a major buyer for Assam tea, industry leaders are actively exploring additional markets to reduce their reliance on regions affected by the conflict. The long-term stability of the trade remains tied to evolving geopolitical conditions in the coming months.
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