Kolkata: The four-month-long closure of Darjeeling tea estates last year due to agitation in the hills has come to haunt Darjeeling planters this year with some regular buyers from Japan staying away from the auctions.This has forced the trade to explore newer markets such as Eastern Europe and the US, trade insiders said.“Some of the leading Japanese importers have not picked up Darjeeling teas this year as the non-availability of teas in 2017 has created uncertainty among them over the supply of teas,” Binod Mohan, chairman of Darjeeling Tea Association, told ET. “We are trying to bring back lost confidence among the Japanese buyers.”The trade is also exploring eastern European markets and the US. “We had been sending small amount of teas in these markets. But now we will step up gas as these countries pay good prices for Darjeeling teas,” Mohan said. “We are targeting tea boutiques and tea lounges to sell Darjeeling teas.”The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha agitation last year had paralysed all activities in the hills from June to September, the peak period for second flush Darjeeling teas.Generally, foreign buyers evince more interest when the second flush teas enter the market.Of the annual production of Darjeeling teas of about 8.5 million kg, nearly 1.7 million kg are first flush teas. First flush teas are those that are produced in the first two months of the new season. These teas are more delicate and tender and therefore more light, floral, fresh, brisk and astringent in flavour and are entirely sold through private deals.Production of Darjeeling teas this year is expected to be 6-7 per cent lower compared to 2016 when the 87 tea estates had produced 8.5 million kg of teas. “Incessant rains during the second flush production has impacted Darjeeling crop this year,” said SS Bagaria, a veteran planter.Despite losing the Japanese buyers, prices of Darjeeling tea have gone up by 5-7 per cent in comparison to 2016. “Our cost of production has gone up as well,” Mohan of DTA said. “So, the price rise will help us to offset the cost of production. It is very difficult to increase the size of tea crop in Darjeeling. So, we are trying to increase our realisation,” he said.