KOLKATA: Huge carryover stock and dull demand for premium tea have led to tea prices plummeting 5% year-on-year. The tea industry , which is expecting a good crop this year, is adopting fire-fighting measures to curb a further drop in prices by organising roadshows in western, northern and central India to interact with traders to study the current consumption pattern.In 2016, lower-end tea got better prices than premium tea. This has become a major concern for tea producers who are into quality tea production. Through the road shows the tea-producing community will try to gauge what sort of tea Indians prefer now.Tea prices have plummeted as there is 20 million kg carryover stock since 2016. Initial reports from Assam , the largest tea growing region in the country , shows prospects of another good year for the tea crop. The region has already received rains which is good for first flush production that will come up for sale in April."We are expecting a good crop this year as well. But we would like to know from traders what type of teas are being accepted in the market . We are organising road shows in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. These are major tea drinking states. Producers are facing problems regarding rising cost of production and competition from other beverages. Our endeavour will be (to ensure) better price realisation for our teas and create a positive sentiment,“ said Sujit Patra, secretary , Indian Tea Association.In 2016, India produced 1,239 million kg compared to 1,208.66 million kg in 2015 due to better weather conditions. In January this year, production was up by almost 6%. Industry experts expect good production this year.A senior tea trader said old season tea are being sold at a lower price compared to last year. “But prices for new season tea are expected to remain firm as global production of black tea may be lower this time as a drought-like situation in Kenya has already affected tea production there," he added.Parag Desai, executive director of leading packet tea player Wagh Bakri, feels that due to good rains, tea production will be better this year. “Quality of tea will also improve this year,“ he said. Demonetisation too had affected upcountry consumption in November and December.