New Delhi, May 21 -- Despite India's tea exports reaching a record 280.40 million kg in 2025, the Indian Tea Association (ITA) has sounded a sharp alarm over mounting financial stress across the sector, calling for urgent government intervention on pricing support, climate resilience, and export competitiveness.

Record Exports, Falling Prices

India is the world's second-largest tea producer and third-largest exporter, contributing approximately 19 per cent of global output. The country produced 1,369.98 million kg of tea in 2025, with exports valued at Rs 8,488.43 crore.

However, the headline export figures conceal a deteriorating price environment. All-India auction prices fell 7.13 per cent in 2025 to Rs 186.92 per kg, down from Rs 2...