Middle East Conflict May Impact Assam Tea Exports, Warns Prabhat Bezbaruah

Former Tea Board of India chairman Prabhat Bezbaruah has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict could affect tea exports from Assam if shipping routes remain disrupted.

He said nearly 40% of India’s tea exports, around 100 million kg, go to West Asian countries such as Iraq, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Jordan. A prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could severely disrupt shipments.

Bezbaruah added that tea exports to the United States are unlikely to be affected. He also expressed concern over a slow start to Assam’s tea production season due to low rainfall, noting that weather conditions in March–May will be crucial for this year’s output.