India International Tea Conference (IITC) 2025

Context

• The 8th India International Tea Conference (IITC) 2025 was held in Kochi from September 18 to 20, 2025.
• About IITC 2025
• IITC 2025 was the eighth edition of the India International Tea Conference, a premier platform for bringing together stakeholders in the tea industry.
• Organized by the United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI), the three-day event was attended by over 450 delegates from over 10 tea-producing and consuming countries.
• The theme of the conference was “Innovating the Tea Ecosystem for Tomorrow,” focusing on sustainability, branding, and premiumization of the industry.

Key Objectives

• Discussion on strategies for innovation, adaptation, and consumption growth to address the challenges facing the tea industry.
• Experts emphasized measures to address changes in crop patterns, the rise of pests and diseases, and yield reductions due to climate change.
• The conference aimed to increase consumption through branding, premiumization, and attracting the younger generation.
• In addition, the focus was on launching tea promotion campaigns along the lines of government initiatives like Operation Flood or Operation Silver, exploring new markets (e.g., Africa, Ghana), and increasing exports to existing markets (e.g., Russia, Iran).

About the Tea Industry in India

• India is the second largest tea producer in the world, where tea is not only a beverage but also a cultural symbol.
• This industry provides employment to millions of people, especially in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
• The industry was valued at ₹1 lakh crore in 2024 and is projected to reach ₹1.47 lakh crore by 2029 (CAGR 6.98%).
• The sector is being modernized through the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme (TDPS) run by the Tea Board of India.
• Black tea accounts for 96% of exports, while demand for green, herbal, and specialty teas is growing.
• Domestic consumption accounts for 80% of production, but per capita consumption is 840 grams, lower than in other countries.

Research and Innovation

• Research in the tea industry is focused on climate-resistant varieties, organic farming, and pest management.
• Organizations like UPASI and the Tea Board are developing hybrid varieties.
• Innovation includes new blends, RTD (ready-to-drink) products, functional teas (rich in antioxidants), and technology integration. Companies like Tata and HUL are introducing premium products.
• The first consignment of organic tea was shipped from Assam to Taiwan.
• Experts at the conference emphasized the importance of technology to ensure sustainability and improve consumer experience.

Challenges

• Climate change: Shifting cropping patterns, yield decline (13.4% decline in 2025), increased pest and disease incidence
• Declining consumption: 2% annual growth, lack of youth attraction, propagation of myths (acidity, dehydration)
• Production costs: Labor migration, rising costs, 10.34% decline in Darjeeling
• Export barriers: Trade policies, increased imports (9.86 million kg in January-March 2025), falling prices
• Quality and market: Pressure from imports, lack of new markets

The Way Forward

• Innovation and Adaptation: Embracing new trends, developing premium products, ensuring sustainability through technology
• Government Campaigns: Increasing consumption through promotional campaigns like Operation Flood, exploring new markets (Africa)
• Research Investments: Promoting climate-resistant varieties and organic farming
• Branding and Premiumization: Creating products that appeal to youth, dispelling myths, and export diversification
• Collaboration: Partnerships among stakeholders, expanding schemes like TDPS, and long-term monitoring