Nepal's Tea Producers Halt Operations Amidst India's New Import Regulations

In a significant move, tea producers in Nepal have announced an indefinite suspension of their operations due to India's newly imposed quality checks on imported tea. This decision comes after the Indian Tea Board implemented stricter regulations aimed at ensuring compliance with domestic standards. With India being the main market for Nepalese tea, producers are now facing challenges in exporting their products. The Nepalese Tea Producers’ Association has called for government intervention to explore alternative markets. Minister Gita Chaudhary has assured that efforts are underway to address these issues. Read on to discover the full impact of these developments on Nepal's tea industry.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2026, 21:27 IST

Indefinite Shutdown of Tea Production in Nepal

Kathmandu: Tea producers in Nepal have declared an indefinite halt to their production starting Thursday, following India's implementation of stricter quality control measures on imported tea to ensure it aligns with local standards.

The Tea Board of India announced last week that it has initiated more rigorous quality checks to guarantee that all imported tea adheres to Indian regulations.

C Murugan, Deputy Chairman of the Tea Board of India, stated that they are now conducting 100% inspections of all tea entering India, including imports from Nepal. This initiative aims to safeguard consumers and uphold quality standards for tea meant for domestic use and re-export.

India serves as the primary market for Nepalese tea.

Producers, particularly those in the Ilam district of Koshi province, have decided to suspend their operations indefinitely.

The Nepalese Tea Producers’ Association expressed concerns that the new regulations from the Indian Tea Board are hindering their ability to export tea.

General Secretary Shukra Dahal highlighted in a press conference that approximately Rs 5 billion worth of tea is exported to India each year and urged the government to explore alternative markets in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary assured that the government is pursuing both technical and diplomatic avenues to resolve the challenges faced by tea exporters.

In response to inquiries from lawmakers, Chaudhary indicated that these efforts are progressing positively.