Indian Trade Barriers Halt Nepali Tea Exports, Threatening Industry and Livelihoods
Summary
Nepali tea exports have been halted due to strict policies by the Indian Tea Board, causing severe disruptions in Nepal's tea industry and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of workers and farmers in eastern Nepal.
Key Points
- Indian trade policies and the new Standard Operating Procedure by the Indian Tea Board have halted Nepali tea exports, causing a major crisis for the tea industry.
- Over 2 lakh kilograms of Nepali processed tea are held in Indian warehouses, while over 10 lakh kilograms remain unsold in Nepal.
- Approximately 70,000 workers and 15,000 farmers in eastern Nepal are directly affected by the disruption in the tea export supply chain.
- The Federation of Nepali Exporters has demanded diplomatic and technical interventions to resume tea exports and protect the industry and farmers.
