The industry, though exempted from the strike, has been impacted. Ashok Lohia, chairman Chamong Tea Exports, which accounts for 20 per cent of Darjeeling tea production, said that his estates had opened after two days. Lohia explained that a day's at this time of the season would amount to loss of production for five days. Moreover, quality also suffers if the leaves are not plucked for a day, as they become thicker.
Basudeb Banerjee, chairman, Tea Board of India, said, the matter was of serious concern.
He said, even though the gardens had been kept formally out of the strikes, local leadership in some of the estates had ensured disruption of operations.
He also pointed out that the quality of tea in the second flush had been very good and it was a pity that the industry was caught in the middle of the political turmoil. "Transportation was affected so that inputs for the industry and foodgrains for the workers could not reach the estates," he said. Darjeeling tea, less than one per cent of total tea production, was mainly exported.
In volume terms Darjeeling tea accounts for three per cent of the total tea exports from India while in value terms, it would mean 7-8 per cent. Not surprising given that the average export price of Darjeeling tea would be Rs 1,000 per kg.