Frequent load-shedding is disrupting tea production in Moulvibazar, where producers say electricity shortages and high fuel prices are raising costs, reducing output and harming tea quality. The report, published on August 21, 2026, says tea gardens are facing eight to 10 hours of power cuts during the day and night, despite separate feeders in some areas.

Tea leaves are meant to enter production within 14 to 16 hours of collection, but the process is taking 70 to 80 hours because of outages, according to the report. Generators cannot operate entire factories and expensive fuel increases production costs. Factory workers and managers said leaves dry out and spoil when factories stop, while dryer machines and other equipment are also being damaged.

Industry representatives said poor-quality tea is not receiving fair auction prices, leaving some tea unsold and creating concern over wages, bonuses and rations for workers. The Kamalganj zonal office of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board said insufficient supply from the national grid requires 25 to 30 percent daily load-shedding. It said separate feeders could be built for other gardens if funding is allocated.