Middle East crisis hits Kangra tea exports to Iran

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Rahul Chawla

The North News

Dharamshala, March 24

The ongoing Middle East crisis has begun to cast a shadow over the export of Kangra tea, with industry stakeholders expressing growing concern over potential losses. Iran, the largest buyer of Kangra tea, is currently unable to import the product due to disruptions caused by the conflict. As a result, tea producers in the Kangra region may be forced to sell their produce in the domestic market. The situation has intensified worries within the tea industry, especially as global shipping routes remain affected.

According to Devinder Pathania, Senior Manager at the Dharamshala-based tea industry, maritime transport has been severely disrupted due to the conflict, with ships unable to operate smoothly along key routes. Since tea exports rely heavily on sea transport, the crisis is expected to significantly impact Kangra tea shipments. He also noted that even Darjeeling tea exports have been affected under the current circumstances. In an effort to explore alternative markets, samples of Kangra tea have been sent to countries like France and Germany. However, industry officials say that if the conflict continues, producers may have no choice but to rely entirely on domestic buyers this season. Kolkata remains one of the major domestic markets for Kangra tea.

The tea industry in Dharamshala produces thousands of kilograms of tea annually, with a portion typically exported to international markets where it fetches higher prices. However, the current geopolitical situation has raised serious concerns among tea growers, as prolonged disruption could impact both revenues and market stability.