Continuing chilly weather conditions in Munnar and the Nilgiris since December have begun to worry tea producers, who fear prolonged cold conditions could dent output in the coming weeks.
Anil George, Vice President (Tea Operations), Harrisons Malayalam Ltd-SBUA, told businesslinethat a sudden drop in temperature from 6–7°C to 2–3°C during the early hours February 11 resulted in frost incidence in a few tea estates across the Munnar and Devikulam regions. Frost is normally confined to December–January, and its occurrence in February is considered unusual. The low temperatures led to ice crystal formation on tea leaves, causing scorching of tender, manufacturable foliage after sunrise.
Lockhart Estate of HML, located in Devikulam at an elevation of approximately 5,500 feet MSL, recorded minimum temperatures of 2–3°C and was mildly affected. Relative humidity during the period was around 55 per cent. While the prevailing cold and dry spell may impact production during the month, such conditions are expected to enhance tea flavour and quality as well, he said.
Acute leaf shortage
The Nilgiris district is also facing a severe frost spell, with sharp early-morning temperature drops damaging tender tea shoots and slowing new flush growth. Green leaf arrivals have fallen drastically across many areas, bringing down overall production, Dhananjayan Krishnamurthy, president of Nilgiris Bought Tea Leaf Manufacturers Association said.
Several bought leaf factories are currently operating only one day per week due to acute leaf shortage. Tea dispatches from factories have also dropped significantly. Small growers and factory workers are particularly affected, as the bushes will take time to recover until rains set in and night temperatures rise, he said.
Since majority of the tea gardens are owned by small growers, the dropping temperatures are affecting their earnings. Frost conditions are being experienced in Ooty, Kotagiri, and other internal areas, he added.
Industry sources pointed out that the sharp diurnal temperature variation, low humidity and lack of rainfall during February has created unfavourable conditions for optimal tea growth, resulting in reduced shoot production and potential decline in crop yield. The crop loss in Munnar region alone was estimated to be around 100 hectares. It is early to evaluate the production loss and the quantum of actual loss could be ascertained only after a couple of months. Kerala’s tea production is estimated to be around 64 million kg and of this, 25 per cent of the contribution comes from Munnar region.
Published on February 13, 2026
