Bitter Brew: How Climate and Crisis Threaten the World’s Tea Gardens

The global tea industry is in a perfect storm. Tea farmers from Kenya to Bangladesh indicated in April 2025 falling yields and incomes as climate change caused more frequent droughts, erratic rains, and deadly heatwaves. This is compounded by a global oversupply-production outpaced consumption by up to 400,000 metric tonnes in 2023-pushing prices below economic levels and squeezing already struggling farmers. Environmental expenses are also mounting: deforestation, pesticide use, and energy-intensive processing are degrading ecosystems and contributing to emissions.

 

But hope exists in fresh initiatives: India's Tea Board is promoting drought-resistant varieties and organic farming, and Kenyan farmers are adopting climate-smart agriculture with international support. Industry action and fairer trade are needed now to ensure tea's future-and the well-being of those who make it.

 

Source: The Daily Star, The Grocer, THIRST Tea News