Tea farmers raise alarm over rising levies in tea value chain

Tea farmers are raising concerns over a growing list of levies, fees, and regulatory charges imposed across the tea value chain, warning that the deductions risk eroding already strained earnings at a time when the sector is grappling with low global prices and rising production costs. The concerns come as the government moves to operationalise a new tea levy under the Tea Act 2020, with officials saying the measure is intended to revive the industry and expand market access.