Assam tea's 200-year legacy gets global tribute at NY Summer Fancy Food Show
2
3
4
5
6
Dibrugarh: In a landmark celebration of India's rich legacy of tea, the Indian Tea Association (ITA) has participated in the Summer Fancy Food Show, 2025, at the Javits Centre, New York, marking the bicentennial anniversary of Assam tea — an industry that has fundamentally shaped the global tea culture and remains a cornerstone of India's agricultural heritage.
The three-day event started from June 29 and concluded on July 1.
ITA's special participation commemorated two centuries of Assam tea, since its discovery in 1823, when Major Robert Bruce, guided by the indigenous knowledge of Maniram Dewan, first discovered wild tea plants growing in the upper Brahmaputra valley.
Today, Assam annually produces 650-700 million kgs of tea, representing more than 50% of India's total tea production, employing over 700,000 workers across various categories.
The centrepiece of the commemoration was a specially curated tea lounge, designed to give global buyers, importers and tea connoisseurs the finest experience of Assam tea. The lounge featured prominent exhibitors, including Goodricke Group Ltd, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Tata Consumer Products, Luxmi Tea Co. Pvt Ltd, MK Shah Exports Ltd and Rossell Tea.
Visitors at the show not only experienced the sensory appeal of premium teas, but also learned about the industry's commitment to sustainability, innovation and community development.
A significant highlight was the B2B networking session held on June 30 at the Consulate General of India, New York.
The participating companies showcased a comprehensive range of orthodox and CTC teas sourced from their Assam estates.
In 2024, India approximately exported 17 million kg of tea to the US, accounting for around 6.5% of India's total export volume and nearly 14% of US's total tea imports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
B'desh tea board introduces minimum protection price
1 2 Kolkata: Bangladesh Tea Board has introduced a minimum protection price to support struggling tea gardens. Though this has been a long-time demand of the Indian tea industry, the Tea Board here is yet to implement it. A circular issued by Bangladesh Tea Board in May directed all auction centres to strictly follow the minimum protection price model. Incidentally, the concept of sustainable price was first mooted by senior planter and former Indian Tea Association chairman C K Dhanuka. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Many tea growers in Assam and north Bengal have been pushed into the red as prices in most cases fail to meet the cost of production. Dhanuka said though Tea Board of India was reluctant initially, it may now be willing to take a relook at his proposals. CISTA president Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty said a minimum floor price has been a long-time demand of small tea growers in north Bengal, as leaves are now being sold at a price lower than the cost. Small tea growers contribute 65% of Bengal's production.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
Assam tea's 200-year legacy gets global tribute at NY Summer Fancy Food Show
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: In a landmark celebration of India's rich legacy of tea, the Indian Tea Association (ITA) has participated in the Summer Fancy Food Show, 2025, at the Javits Centre, New York, marking the bicentennial anniversary of Assam tea — an industry that has fundamentally shaped the global tea culture and remains a cornerstone of India's agricultural heritage. The three-day event started from June 29 and concluded on July 1. ITA's special participation commemorated two centuries of Assam tea, since its discovery in 1823, when Major Robert Bruce, guided by the indigenous knowledge of Maniram Dewan, first discovered wild tea plants growing in the upper Brahmaputra valley. Today, Assam annually produces 650-700 million kgs of tea, representing more than 50% of India's total tea production, employing over 700,000 workers across various categories. The centrepiece of the commemoration was a specially curated tea lounge, designed to give global buyers, importers and tea connoisseurs the finest experience of Assam tea. The lounge featured prominent exhibitors, including Goodricke Group Ltd, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Tata Consumer Products, Luxmi Tea Co. Pvt Ltd, MK Shah Exports Ltd and Rossell Tea. Visitors at the show not only experienced the sensory appeal of premium teas, but also learned about the industry's commitment to sustainability, innovation and community development. A significant highlight was the B2B networking session held on June 30 at the Consulate General of India, New York. The participating companies showcased a comprehensive range of orthodox and CTC teas sourced from their Assam estates. In 2024, India approximately exported 17 million kg of tea to the US, accounting for around 6.5% of India's total export volume and nearly 14% of US's total tea imports.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
27-06-2025
- Business Standard
Tea exporters cautiously optimistic as Israel-Iran ceasefire lifts demand
The ceasefire in the Israel-Iran conflict has brought a sense of cautious optimism among Indian tea producers and exporters, who had seen orthodox tea prices slide amid rising tensions. Orthodox tea prices had declined in the wake of the crisis but are now showing signs of recovery, even as exporters and traders reassess risks and the demand outlook. At the Kolkata auctions held this week, the average price of orthodox leaf teas was Rs 290.66 per kg, compared to Rs 269.40 per kg last week. Moreover, 78.55 per cent of the teas on offer were sold at the auction held on June 24 and 25, as against 49.26 per cent last week. However, he added that some shippers had decided to hold back their cargo for a bit to see how the situation develops. 'But the signals are positive.' Indian Tea Association (ITA) chairman Hemant Bangur said the demand environment was uncertain last week. 'But I think that is behind us now. The exporters are back at the auctions covering for quantities they had committed to Iran and the CIS countries. But obviously everybody is cautious,' he said. Traditionally, Iran has been one of the top markets for Indian tea. It is believed to be a 30 million kg (mkg) market. In 2022, tea exports to Iran stood at 22.21 mkg. This dropped to 5.92 mkg in 2023 as Iran stopped registering contracts for Indian tea. In 2024, however, tea exports to Iran increased to 9.24 mkg. But direct export figures to Iran do not fully reflect the size of the market, as a significant volume is routed through the UAE, a major re-exporting hub. Even as prices have recovered from the lows of last week, they are yet to return to levels seen before June 13, when Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran. Himanshu Shah, chairman, M K Shah Exports, said tea prices have improved from last week but remain below pre-conflict levels. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of the market. M K Shah is one of the largest exporters and producers of orthodox tea in India. Mohit Agarwal, director, Asian Tea Company, said cargo was lying at the Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai. 'The buyers are back and enquiries are coming in. The trade should start from Saturday.' 'This was a temporary setback and the expectation is that the market would go back to pre-war level next week.' The season had started on a strong note for orthodox tea. The average price realised for orthodox leaf at the Kolkata auctions for Sale 17 to Sale 24 was Rs 317.32 per kg, compared to Rs 293.69 per kg in the previous year. Sale 17 was held on April 22, and Sale 24 was held on June 10 and 11. The drop in prices last week, however, prompted some producers to convert to the CTC variety. A large tea producer said, 'The plan was to expand the production of orthodox tea. But right now, we are making more of CTC. If things settle down, we will make more of orthodox.' Orthodox tea is mostly exported. In 2024, India produced 118.67 mkg of orthodox tea out of a total production of 1,284.78 mkg; production of CTC stood at 1,149.21 mkg.
