Changing weather, marked by a dry spell and sporadic rainfall, and low soil temperatures affected tea production in various parts of India in March.

Empirical data shows a 35-50 per cent decline in the March crop in North India compared to the previous year, said Hemant Bangur, chairman of the Indian Tea Association (ITA).

Tea Research Association (TRA) estimates a 35-40 per cent decline in the crop in North Bengal in February and March. "Upper Assam is about 40 per cent down. In the rest of Assam, the shortage is around 20-25 per cent," said Joydeep Phukan, secretary of TRA.