GUWAHATI:

An importer from the Middle East (ME) purchased approximately 12.5 lakh kg of CTC tea at the average rate of Rs 238.57 from the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) between April and October this year, informed Dinesh Bihani, secretary, Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association (GTABA) here on November 3.

“The average rate per kg of CTC tea is Rs 31.61 more than the GTAC average,” Bihani said while stating that the GTAC has emerged as a popular choice for overseas purchasers or importers of CTC tea.

Bihani also said the premium CTC tea is exported to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East.

He said that these teas are exported to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and other Middle East countries. We have also seen an exporter.

“We have also had an importer from Kazakhstan purchasing CTC tea in bulk regularly through the GTAC. This year, the GTAC sold 81.65 million kg of tea at the average rate of Rs 206.96 between April and October, approximately 20 million kg less than last year during the same period,” he also said.

“However, the average price at the GTAC auction is up by Rs 17.24 from last year’s sales, till October,” he further added.