Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 22 (HBTV): The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) has set a new milestone by selling tea worth INR 3,850 crore during the financial year 2024–25.

Dinesh Bihani, Secretary of the Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association, told ANI on Tuesday that GTAC sold 169.13 million kilograms of tea at an average price of INR 227.70 per kilogram, resulting in a total turnover of INR 3,850 crore—an increase of INR 800 crore from the previous financial year.

‘In the financial year 2023–24, GTAC sold 166.34 million kilograms of tea worth INR 3,048 crore, with an average price of INR 183.21. But in FY 2024–25, GTAC sold tea worth INR 3,850 crore, which is INR 800 crore more compared to the previous year. In the last 52 years, this year GTAC recorded the highest tea sale. Last year, Assam’s tea crop was short by 60–70 million kilograms, and despite that, we sold 3 million kilograms more tea in FY 2024–25,’ Bihani said.

He further added that the rise in average tea prices has benefited small tea growers in the state.

‘The increase in tea prices at GTAC means the green leaf price will also increase, and small tea growers of the state are also benefiting from it,’ he said.

According to reports from the Tea Board of India, there are more than 1.22 lakh small tea growers across 28 districts of Assam, cultivating tea across 114,847.89 hectares. These growers contribute nearly 52 per cent of Assam’s total tea production.

Four years ago, a special tea named Golden Tips from the Manohari Tea Estate was sold at GTAC for INR 1 lakh per kilogram.

‘We hope that the current financial year 2025–26 will also be good for Assam tea. Our exports have increased. Many large buyers are coming to GTAC. Recently, a tea from Dhekiajuli Tea Garden was sold at a price of INR 606 per kilogram. Following government initiatives, the production of quality tea has also improved,’ Bihani said.

In addition, the GTAC Tea Lounge recorded a turnover of over INR 1 crore from its tea promotion and retail activities in FY 2024–25.

Assam, the largest tea-producing state in India, accounts for over 50 per cent of the country’s total tea production. Assam tea has completed 200 years of its historic journey.

(ANI)