The Tea Board has urged the industry to look into the Chinese market to tap muted volumes and renewed demand for orthodox varieties in that country.
Deputy chairman and CEO of Tea Board, Arun Kumar Ray, told PTI on Tuesday: "A tea plantation business is labour intensive, and sustaining the industry in China may not be possible due to rising labour costs."
He also urged the tea industry to become more cost-effective and self-sufficient. "The industry cannot look towards subsidy forever."