Biratnagar, June 14 -- Tea factories in Ilam's Suryodaya Municipality have announced a shutdown from June 15 following restrictions imposed by the Tea Board of India on Nepali tea exports.

The Suryodaya Orthodox Tea Producers Association Nepal said the decision was driven by an inability to sell processed tea, full storage facilities, and a growing inability to pay farmers for green tea leaves already purchased. The association represents 53 tea factories, all of which will halt operations.

According to industry stakeholders, shipments of Nepali tea have been stuck in Kolkata for weeks due to new regulations introduced by the Indian Tea Board. More than 300,000 kilograms of Nepali tea already in India are reportedly held up for quality ...