Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Dibrugarh now hosts Assam's second tea auction centre. The hub launched Friday at H.M. Resort. It aims to slash transport costs for growers in Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Dibrugarh. Previously, producers paid heavy fees to move tea to Guwahati or Kolkata. The Tea Board India granted an auction organiser licence to Assam Chai Bazaar on July 18.
The first sale moved quickly. It lasted one hour, starting at noon. The auction saw 126 sellers and 18 participating buyers. Over 2.23 lakh kg of CTC tea hit the block. The Leaf category moved 1,48,531 kg at an average price of Rs 206 per kg. Dust tea sold 74,693.5 kg at roughly Rs 210 per kg. Overall, the average price hit Rs 207 per kg.
Veteran planter Mrigendra Jalan backed the move. He noted the local site helps small operators. “Small tea growers will get a good price through this auction centre. We have additional expenses to send tea to Kolkata and Guwahati, but now those extra expenses will be reduced,” Jalan said.
Technical glitches blocked major firms like Hindustan Unilever Ltd from joining the inaugural event. Assam Chai Bazaar representative Deven Singh confirmed the connectivity issues. Arunita Phukan Yadav of the Tea Board India wants more buyers to join soon. She insists the centre follow all national rules. Former board chairman Prabhat Bezboruah and Assam Tea Planters Association head Samudra Prasad Barooah attended the launch. They hope the centre builds better warehouse infrastructure and creates local jobs.
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