This week, there was a new notification from the tea board of India allowing retailers to blend imported tea with Indian teas that are protected by the GI. This effectively reverses the prohibition issued in November 2021, in response to concerns about adulteration of Darjeeling with Nepal tea. Consequently, a large volume of tea remained unsold in the auctions. This was because Tata Consumer Products Ltd., one of the biggest buyers of Darjeeling tea in the domestic market had stopped purchasing Darjeeling Tea which goes into their Tata Gold packs. An estimated 1mn kilos of Darjeeling tea, which is about 15% of Darjeeling’s annual production, is bought by TCPL.
Under the new order, a GI tea that is blended with an imported tea cannot claim the GI label.
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In Sale 41, Kolkata saw good demand for Orthodox, CTC and Dust. Middle East and CIS countries were active for Orthodox while blenders were active for Dust. Darjeeling continued to see muted sales as Tata Consumer Products Ltd. stayed away. Hindustan Unilever was active for Darjeeling but average prices were below Rs 500. Guwahati also saw good demand for both Dust and Leaf. Major blenders were active and prices were slightly higher than the previous week.
In the south, AV Thomas was active for Dust at Cochin. Both Orthodox and CTC grades did well in Coonoor, with over 80% sold.
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