India exported 155.33 million kg of tea between January and August 2026, according to Tea Board of India figures reported by Guwahati daily The Sentinel. That is roughly 15% less than in the same months of last year, a shortfall of about 27.7 million kg.
The main culprit is logistics. Turmoil in West Asia has disrupted sea freight and forced vessels to divert from their usual routes.
Prices moved the other way. The average export price edged up to ₹307.42 per kilogram from ₹298.44 a year earlier, so India is selling less tea but earning a little more for each kilo. For black tea drinkers in Europe it is a trend worth watching, since freight costs and the availability of certain lots could feed into prices over the coming months.
Source: The Sentinel Assam