THIRST Tea News Update

Welcome to the April 2025 edition of our news update – the first to be published on our new website.

This month, we highlight critical issues, including price pressures on tea farmers in Kenya, Uganda and India, ongoing labour protests in West Bengal and Sri Lanka and Kenya’s new governance reforms. We also address claims about rising export earnings and explore growing efforts in regenerative agriculture.

Premium trends, export highs and competing visions for tea’s future

India recorded a 10-year high in tea exports in 2024, reaching 255 million kg, despite ongoing global market uncertainties linked to geopolitical tensions. (The Morung Express, 13 March 2025). Kenya saw modest gains, exporting to 96 countries (Pakistan remained the largest importer), although recent data exposes government overstatements about earnings and production (Eastleigh Voice, 13 March 2025). Sudan’s import suspension has left Kenyan teas stranded, prompting industry appeals (KBC, 15 March 2025).

The market for specialty tea has also seen positive movement. China’s growing matcha industry has engaged 100,000 tea farmers, while Vietnam is linking tea with tourism to drive rural economies (China Daily, 5 March 2025; Vietnam Investment Review, 6 March 2025). Tea sales in small stores are rising, with everyday black tea dominating despite a 2% volume drop. Organic tea spending is up 25.4%, outpacing conventional options (Talking Retail, 5 March 2025).

Meanwhile, the Hospitality Purchasing Managers’ Forum and India’s Tea & Coffee Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost tea and coffee sector collaboration (Hospitality Biz India, 15 March 2025). Despite steady production, Vietnam’s tea sector continues to struggle in high-value export markets. Experts point to the need for a comprehensive strategy focused on quality, sustainability and branding. Industry leaders have called for greater collaboration across the value chain, adoption of certified sustainable practices and integration with eco-tourism to boost competitiveness and global recognition (Voice of Vietnam, 16 March 2025).

Kenya’s President Ruto and other officials claimed sharp rises in tea export earnings and production. However, official data shows earnings rose 16% between 2022 and 2024 – not the 32% claimed. Analysts warn that inflated figures risk misleading stakeholders (Africa Check, 27/03/2025).

Diverse efforts to add value at source

Small tea growers in Assam have renewed calls for Geographical Indication (GI) tags to safeguard the identity and future of Assam tea. The All Assam Small Tea Growers’ Association also emphasised the need for factories to receive only high-quality raw tea leaves, assessed by trained experts, to maintain standards and market competitiveness (Assam Tribune, 12 March 2025). Meanwhile, Hindustan Unilever launched “Tea Next,” a new initiative to train smallholder farmers in regenerative practices and reward excellence (Hub News, 27 March 2025).

Progress and protests over long-standing wage arrears

After seven years of uncertainty, Merico Agri Industry Private Limited has finally secured leases for six tea estates in North Bengal and promised to settle worker dues and rejuvenate operations (Millennium Post, 2 March 2025). In contrast, unrest continues at Kilkott Tea Estate, where staff are still waiting for January wages. A dharna was launched after management failed to act on earlier demands (Telegraph India, 4 March 2025). Workers at a tea estate in West Bengal were shocked to find management gone and wages unpaid. With no clarity on payments or operations, employees remain in the dark (Telegraph India, 11 March 2025).

Technology and ecology take centre stage

The Assam government is pushing digital transformation in tea auctions, integrating AI and blockchain to enhance transparency, efficiency and secure fair pricing in the tea trade. The North East Tea Association has endorsed the initiative (Devdiscourse, 11 March 2025). India is partnering with Taiwan’s National Chung Hsing University to bolster smart tea farming amid rising climate pressures (Taiwan News, 4 March 2025). In parallel, the China-Sri Lanka joint tea lab is pioneering eco-friendly pest management methods to reduce pesticide use and enhance environmental safety (China Daily Asia, 5 March 2025).

Efforts to reform governance and strengthen equity across the tea sector continue

In Kenya, the Tea Board is drafting new regulations to embed gender equality in leadership, while the government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s participation and protection in the industry (Kenya News, 10 March 2025; The Star, 12 March 2025). At the same time, the unregulated sale of green leaf (commonly referred to as “tea hawking”) has been banned in a bid to improve quality standards. Cabinet Secretary Kagwe announced that the Tea (Registration and Licensing) Regulation 2025 will be enforced to require formal registration and licensing of all growers and buyers (Kenyans.co, 12 March 2025). Tea hawking has long been associated with the processing of poor-quality leaf and undermining prices for producers. A proposed agricultural police unit has also been announced, aimed at tackling estate invasions and wider security concerns affecting tea-growing regions (The Star, 14 March 2025).

In India, budget disappointments were voiced in Assam and Tamil Nadu, with growers citing a lack of support for the sector (Assam Tribune, 13 March 2025; Times of India, 16 March 2025). However, Assam has pledged a one-time support package worth Rs 342 crore for tea workers, marking a significant, if partial, boost to livelihoods (Hans India, 14 March 2025).

Fatalities underscore need for stronger safeguards

A report reveals that more than 70% of fatal elephant encounters over the last 30 years in the Valparai plateau, India, involved tea workers. To address this, several tea estates near wildlife zones have been handed over to forest departments. The move is also driven by severe labour shortages in government-managed plantations (Times of India, 5 March 2025). It is appropriate, therefore, that the 54^th National Safety Day marked calls for stricter enforcement of safety laws amid rising concerns over persistent risks in tea gardens (Tirapur Times, 5 March 2025). Similar calls should be made in other tea-growing regions as two tea workers tragically died while 20 were injured, six critically, when a transport vehicle overturned in Moulvibazar, Bangladesh (The Daily Star, 2 March 2025).

Bonus battles, wage disputes and strategic strikes

From Assam to Darjeeling to Sri Lanka, tea workers are pressing for fairer treatment. Demands include higher daily wages (Rs 661 in Assam), overdue bonuses, retirement benefits and minimum wage implementation (Gplus, 3 March 2025; Telegraph India, 18 March 2025). A strike at Colombo Port, led by the Ceylon Workers Red Flag Union, protested against the growing trend in Sri Lanka’s tea and rubber sectors of replacing informal labour systems as a cost-cutting measure (Daily Mirror, 19 March 2025).

The Darjeeling Dooars Chia Shramik Suraksha Samiti, a social organisation working for the tea workers of north Bengal, staged a sit-in against the state government’s policy to allow up to 30% of estate land for non-tea uses. Protestors argue it could hurt workers’ jobs and even cause their displacement (Telegraph India, 2 March 2025). Meanwhile, Nagari Tea Estate is set to reopen after a wage settlement was reached (Kalimpong News, 19 March 2025).

Tea farmers and industry managers from Meru County criticised the removal of reserve prices, fearing further market destabilisation (K24TV, 8 March 2025). In Uganda, farmers earned between $0.05 and $0.09 per kilogramme of green leaf, well below the cost of production (Zawya, 14 March 2025). In West Bengal’s Bundapani plantation, unpaid wages have pushed workers into strike action (Telegraph India, 21 March 2025).  

Thank you for reading.