North Bengal’s ‘Teesta’ tea shines at Mumbai Expo, white tea fetches ₹75,000/kg
Jalpaiguri, September 27: North Bengal’s ‘Teesta’ tea has garnered considerable attention at the two-day ‘Indian Tea Innovation Expo’ held in Mumbai. Organized by the Tea Board, the tea produced by North Bengal’s small-scale tea farmers received a strong response from buyers.
The special category ‘white tea’ produced by the Jamtala Women’s Self-Help Group in Maynaguri sold for ₹75,000 per kg. Meanwhile, the demand for CTC tea produced by the Jai Jalpesh Self-Help Group, one of the country’s largest tea factories run by small-scale tea farmers on a cooperative basis, was so high that it could not be supplied to all buyers. The entire stock was exhausted before the expo could be completed.
Sunday was the final day of the expo, which began on Saturday. Given the enthusiasm received at the expo, stakeholders believe that tea-loving states like Maharashtra and Gujarat could become new business markets for small-scale tea farmers in North Bengal.
Vijay Gopal Chakraborty, secretary of the Jalpaiguri District Small Tea Farmers’ Committee, stated that a meeting with major tea sellers in Mumbai received positive responses regarding the purchase of tea from small-scale tea farmers in North Bengal. He stated that such events organized by the Tea Board could play a significant role in expanding the tea trade. He urged holding similar expos in places like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
Rajat Rai Karji, president of the Jai Jalpesh Factory, stated that such high demand for CTC tea was not anticipated. Now, plans are underway to expand the business in West and North India, considering them as potential markets. With the support of the Tea Board, seven small-scale tea farmers from Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, and Cooch Behar arrived in Mumbai with their hand-crafted “Teesta” brand tea. At the expo, held at R City Mall in Ghatkopar West, the farmers showcased specialty teas such as white, oolong, orthodox, green, and blue teas.
Meanwhile, the Jai Jalpesh Factory in Maynaguri introduced a special flavored CTC tea. Earlier in August, small-scale tea farmers from North Bengal participated in an international tea fair held in Delhi. Hand-crafted white tea from the Jamtala Farmers Producers Organization sold for ₹75,000 per kilogram. It was purchased by an American buyer.
According to sources, approximately 69 percent of North Bengal’s total tea production currently comes from the raw leaves of small-scale tea farmers. Farmers are now producing specialty teas at home and are receiving positive responses from buyers.
