Darjeeling Tea

A specialty tea from Assam's Dibrugarh district was sold for Rs 1.15 lakh per kg at a private auction on Friday, the proprietor of the tea estate said. 'Manohari Gold Tea' fetched the price at an auction on private portal Tea Inntech, Rajan Lohia of Manohari Tea Estate said. "Due to the cap of Rs 1 lakh per kg set by the Tea Board India at Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC), we had to sell this batch through private auction this year," Lohia said. This is the highest price fetched for tea at such auctions anywhere, he claimed. One kilogramme of the specialty tea was bought by RK Tea Sales, he said. Tea from the Manohari brand, especially its gold variety, had been fetching high prices at the GTAC over the years, setting new records in the process. Manohari Gold had sold for Rs 99,999 per kg through GTAC in December 2021, which was matched by 'Golden Pearl' of AFT Techno Trade that also went under the hammer at the same auction house in February this year. This high price was sur

The total demand for all categories of teas dropped by 10.35 per cent during Sale-47, Calcutta Tea Traders Association data (CTTA) said. Sale-47 was held from November 22 to 24. However, Darjeeling leaf scored a gain in demand during this week as compared to last auction, it said. According to CTTA officials, the total offerings amounted to 2,46,299 packages (included 71,22,834 kg) comprising 1,31,783 packages of CTC leaf, 72,850 packages of Orthodox, 3,417 packages of Darjeeling leaf and 38,249 packages of Dust teas. This week's CTC leaf saw a fair demand and 23,60,214 kg of different categories were sold at an average price of Rs 200.15 per kg. Most of the demand was marked between Rs 150 to Rs 200 per kg price level. Around 24.51 per cent was claimed at a lower price level while 19.06 per cent was demanded at higher price level. Western India supported well. Hindustan Unilever operated actively while TCPL remained selective. Exporters registered fair support. Orthodox leaf met

Existing notification bars blending imported tea with GI-tagged Indian varieties; Sources said commerce ministry left it to the Board to take a reasoned call on modification

The commerce and industry ministry is planning a multi-media campaign to promote over 400 GI (Geographical Indication) products such as Darjeeling Tea, Chanderi Fabric, Mysore Silk, and Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) intends to empanel one or more audio-visual agencies to carry out various multi-media campaigns, production of advertising and promotional materials on a regular ongoing basis," said the department's notice inviting request for proposal. The agency will also support the department in scaling up the GI campaign through manifold interventions, considered important for building a strong GI ecosystem, it said. DPIIT, under the ministry, is looking to empanel reputed audio-visual agencies for GI promotion campaign. Work for the empanelled agency or agencies would include production of films, documentaries, sponsored AV (audio-visual) programmes, AV spots, and production of short videos. The notice said lack

Liquidity challenges amid high wages, falling demand and prices are brewing trouble for the "champagne of the teas"

A notification banning blends of imported tea in GI-tagged teas has almost pushed Tata Consumer Products, the biggest buyer, out of the market

The region's storied estates are upping the luxe quotient by foraying into hotels and resorts

Scanty rainfall, last year's lockdown, growing competition from Nepal and the disaster of the 2017 Gorkhaland agitation are steadily weakening exports and sales of Darjeeling tea

Getting the tea leaves right in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic

The pandemic has got people spending time and energy making themselves a cuppa. Know more about tea and its tribe, some trivia and how to get the perfect brew

The tea industry, hit by rising costs, falling prices and political unrest in the North Bengal plantations, is especially vulnerable to the Covid-19 lockdown

He said that the Tea Board's role should only be restricted to issuing licences for opening up the auction centres after duly checking their financial capabilities

In 2017, following the Gorkhaland agitation for separate statehood, the Darjeeling tea industry was totally shut for the entire prime season

Most of the tea from Nepal is uncertified with no pesticide and residue declaration while 70 per cent of the 87 estates in Darjeeling are certified organic

Demanding the government protect goldsmiths, BJP leader Kailash Soni said traders of gold and silver are in distress due to "police harassment".

The Tea Board had filed an application in this regard on December 2017, the DTA said

After losing a case in the Calcutta HC against ITC over a trademark issue, the board has appealed to the Division Bench of the same court and it is hopeful that the issue can be sorted out amicably

Plans are to trace the movement tea across the supply chain, from plantation to sale

The agitation for a separate state of Gorkhaland and the consequent shutdown of tea estates in Darjeeling for several months in 2017 led to the tea practically vanishing from global markets

The Calcutta High Court found that though the Board was in possession of the GI tag over Darjeeling, it had not obtained a registered trademark

Production from January to April stood at 1.35 mkg, at par with last year