KATHMANDU: Nepal’s tea industry has received a much-needed boost after exports to India resumed following nearly two months of disruption caused by Indian quality testing requirements.
With the export bottleneck removed, tea that had been stockpiled at factories is now being shipped to the Indian market, while producers have also begun receiving new orders.
Exports resumed through the Kakarbhitta–Panitanki border crossing after the Indian authorities revised their quality control procedures, replacing mandatory testing of every shipment with a risk-based inspection system.
Under the new arrangement, only one out of every five consignments exported from Nepal will undergo sample testing.
The export suspension had left around 1.2 million kilograms of orthodox tea stranded in factories in Ilam alone, dealing a significant financial blow to both tea processors and farmers.
Following the easing of restrictions, factories have accelerated efforts to clear their stockpiles and dispatch tea to the market.
According to the Nepal Tea Producers Association, trucks carrying orthodox tea from Ilam began entering India on Monday.
Tea exporters say fresh purchase orders have started arriving from Indian buyers, raising hopes of a recovery in trade.
The Nepal government had intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue by forming a task force involving relevant ministries and agencies under the coordination of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Following continued discussions with the Indian side, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India decided to relax its testing procedures.
Despite the breakthrough, industry representatives remain cautious.
Since there is still no testing laboratory at the Panitanki customs point, samples requiring inspection must continue to be sent to Kolkata, potentially causing delays. Indian authorities also retain the authority to conduct random inspections whenever deemed necessary.
Business leaders say that while exports have resumed for now, the long-term stability of tea trade will depend on continued cooperation between Nepal and India and the consistent implementation of the revised inspection system.
For the time being, however, the reopening of exports has restored a measure of relief and optimism among tea producers, farmers and exporters.
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