The Tea Board of the country does not project any tea production growth in the existing year (2010) because of unpredictable rains in the hills of northeastern India resulting in loss of crops.

The above declaration was made by Tea Board chairman Basudeb Banerjee on August 06.

Mr. Banerjee stated that the crop loss in the states of West Bengal and Assam would be made up to some extent by surplus fabrication in the southern zone.

In the year 2009, the overall production stood at 979 million kilograms (mn kg).

"On a conservative estimate, we can say that this year's crop won't be more than last year's level," Mr. Banerjee said.

The irregular climatic condition has brought back tea mosquito that has ruined gardens at various regions in Assam.

Rossell Tea managing director C. S. Bedi stated that the recovery in terms of winning back lost crop will be sluggish as there was less use of pesticide in the initial flush period as the crop was used for export.

During the month of May, Assam and West Bengal saw a fall of 3 million kilogram in crop, and the condition declined during June with production descending 13 million kilogram in Assam and 2 million kilogram in West Bengal.

The total fall is more than 15 million kilogram in northeast India.