Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) has registered tea sales from Assam worth nearly Rs 2,300 crore in the ongoing financial year 2023-2024. Official records from GTAC indicate the sale of approximately 115 million kg of tea at an average rate of Rs 198.51 per kg.
The Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association (GTABA) Secretary, Dinesh Bihani, reported that the highly distinctive Golden Needle tea variety fetched a huge amount of Rs 61,000 per kg in this year’s auction.
“The tea industry sold approximately 115 million kilograms of tea at an average rate of Rs 198.51 per kilogram from April 1 to the first week of December. As December approaches, the tea production season for this year is almost concluding. To provide a comparison, it is worth noting that during the same period last year, we sold 114.50 million kg of tea with an average rate of Rs 201.14 per kg.
“In 2021, a unique tea was sold at Rs 1 lakh per kg. This fiscal year, the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre has set a new record with the sale of Golden Needle tea at Rs 61,000 per kg,” Bihani added.
In commemoration of the 200 years of Assam tea celebrations, Dinesh Bihani mentioned that the GTAC distributed complimentary tea to the public in observance of International Tea Day.
GTAC actively engaged in the recent International Tea Trade Fair, advocating for Assam Tea. Dinesh Bihani mentioned that the Assam government, Tea Board, and other collaborators have collaboratively arranged the bicentenary Assam Tea International Conference scheduled for January 29-30 in Guwahati next year.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that GTAC currently holds the position of the second-largest auction center globally for CTC teas, following Kenya. However, concerted efforts are underway to elevate GTAC to the top position.
According to Tea Board statistics, Indian tea production from January to October totaled 1163.06 million kg, a slight decrease from the previous year’s 1166.34 million kg. From January to September, India witnessed a decline in its tea exports from 166.11 million kg in the same period last year to 157.92 million kg.
 Secretary, Dinesh Bihani, reported that the highly distinctive Golden Needle tea variety fetched a huge amount of Rs 61,000 per kg in this year's auction.){kind=link}