On February 11, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a significant accomplishment for the state’s tea industry, reporting a 40-million-kilogram increase in tea exports after 25 years. He highlighted that overall tea production in Assam has risen by 50 million kilograms, with orthodox tea now accounting for nearly half of the production, a variety that has garnered strong international demand. In the financial year 2025–26, Assam’s tea exports have grown considerably, a trend not mirrored in South India, where production has decreased by 10 million kilograms.
Further, total tea sales from Assam increased by 19 million kilograms, with orthodox tea sales at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre doubling from 4.19 million kilograms to 9.15 million kilograms. To support this growth, the state government plans to raise the subsidy for orthodox tea production from ₹10 to ₹15 per kilogram, aiming to capitalize on recent trade agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and tariff arrangements with the United States. Sarma expressed optimism that these developments mark a renaissance for Assam tea, emphasizing the industry’s role as a major employer and source of livelihood in rural Assam, while signaling a resurgence of global confidence in Assam’s tea products.