Tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water. Tea coming from Darjeeling region, North India is recognized as one of the most exotic and finest tasting teas in the world. Darjeeling 1st flush emerges following winter & early spring is an extremely healthy & a flavourful tea. By the mean time, as The Telegraph had reported, Tea Board India has planned to meet the members of the Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) to discuss the possibility of auctioning the entire output of the 87 gardens.

Darjeeling region produced almost 7.7 million kg in 2018-19, of which only around 1.5 million kg were sold through auctions at an average price of Indian Rs 418.96 (Roughly USD 5.87) per kg, according to Tea Board data. The producers get a higher price by selling directly.

As Darjeeling has a GI (Geographic Indication) tag with its own logo, there is a requirement to trace the volume being produced and the quality of tea.

Producers may also be allowed to purchase back from the auction platform, in case if they feel they can get a better price even as the auction process will give some clarity on the floor price.

Tea Board deputy chairman Arun Kumar Roy said. “We have called a meeting with the DTA after Diwali to consider 100 per cent sale of tea in auctions so that we get to know what is the real value. Sri Lanka sells 100 per cent through auction. There are 87 gardens and 10 owners selling Darjeeling tea across the world. For a niche product like this, we feel there is a need to intervene and see that every kg is accounted for,”

Vinod Mohan, president of the DTA said, “It is a time-sensitive product. The first flush tea produced in March is immediately exported by air and same for the second flush. Because we sell it directly and there is no delay, the freshness is intact. So, we will have to look at the proposal in details to know how all that will be factored in, what would be the provisions and whether there would be some exceptions before we can comment,”

I am not sure whether this new proposal will work well for specialty Darjeeling Tea or not. But It’s really important to hear views of Darjeeling tea producers & experts before implementation.

Even though I mainly speak on world renowned Pure Ceylon Tea from Sri Lanka, I never hesitate to appreciate good teas from other origins. World renowned Darjeeling Tea is one of them.

So join with me to travel all over tea world: https://www.teawithnipun.com/

Read More News + Posts I have published on “Darjeeling Tea”:

1. http://www.teawithnipun.com/tag/darjeeling-tea/

2. http://www.teawithnipun.com/news/a-rare-darjeeling-tea-plucked-under-the-full-moon/

References

1. The Telegraph: https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/darjeeling-tea-auction-drive/cid/1712217
2. The Times of India:  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/tea-board-eyes-e-auction-of-entire-darjeeling-produce/articleshow/71624229.cms