Tea production in April has dropped to a four year low of 21.46 million kilos, which is also the lowest since the COVID-19 lockdown year of 2020. Industry said this year’s dry weather and low fertiliser application by smallholders in Q1 caused production to drop 15% to 21.46 million kilos compared with 25.24 million kilos in the same period the year before. The lowest crop in April during the past decade was 20.82 million kilos recorded in COVID-hit 2020, whilst the highest 32.94 million kilos in 2017. Forbes & Walker Research said all elevations have shown a decrease in comparison with the corresponding month of 2023