Assam's tea industry booms: Guwahati Tea Auction Centre achieves highest sales in 52 years
The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) has set a new record, selling tea worth Rs 3,850 crore in the 2024-25 financial year.
Dinesh Bihani, Secretary, Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association, on Tuesday said in the FY 2024-25, the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre sold 169.13 million kg of tea with an average price of Rs 227.70 and the total turnover was Rs 3,850 crore which is Rs 800 crore more compared to the previous year.
"In the financial year 2023-24, GTAC sold 166.34 kg of tea worth Rs 3,048 crore, and the average price was Rs 183.21. But in FY 2024-25, GTAC sold tea worth Rs 3,850 crore, which is Rs 800 crore more compared to the previous year. In the last 52 years, this year, the GTAC sold the highest tea. Last year, Assam tea crop was short by 60-70 million kg, and despite that, we sold 3 million more tea in 2024-25," Bihani said.
He further stated that, following the increase in the average price of tea, small tea growers in Assam were also benefiting.
"The tea price increase at GTAC means the green leaves’ price will also increase, and the small tea growers of the state are also getting benefits from it," he said.
According to the reports of the Tea Board of India, there are over 1.22 lakh small tea growers in 28 districts of Assam, and their tea area is 114847.89 hectares of land, contributing nearly 52 per cent of the total tea production in the state.
Four years ago, a special tea named Golden Tips from the Manohari tea estate was sold at GTAC for Rs 1 lakh per kg.
"We hope that the current financial year 2025-26 will be good for Assam tea. Our exports have also increased. Many large buyers are also coming to GTAC. Recently, a tea from Dhekiajuli tea garden was sold at a price of Rs 606 per kg. Following the initiatives of the government, quality tea production has also increased," Bihani said.
On the other hand, the GTAC Tea Lounge has also recorded a turnover of over Rs 1 crore from its tea promotion and retail activities in the FY 2024-25.
Assam is the largest tea-producing state in India, and it produces over 50 per cent of the country's total tea. Assam tea has completed 200 years of its glorious journey.
