Tea traders assocn backs Commerce Ministry’s dust tea auction for transparent pricing

Hyderabad: The Federation of All India Tea Traders Association (FAITTA), representing tea traders, buyers, packers, and retailers across India, has voiced its support for the Commerce Ministry and Tea Board's recent decision to initiate a trial of 100% dust tea auction for three months.

In a recent announcement, the Commerce Ministry outlined that all dust-grade tea produced in a calendar year from manufacturing units in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal will be auctioned publicly. This move has raised concerns about potential disruptions in production, particularly impacting small tea growers. However, FAITTA has dismissed these concerns as unfounded.

Sanjay Shah, Chairman of FAITTA, emphasized, "The recent statements are also against the spirit of an industry-driven initiative which has been enacted by way of the order mandating 100 percent auction of dust tea grades. FAITTA unequivocally supports the Commerce Ministry and the Tea Board on this decision. It is a step in the right direction. It is the only solution to detect and deter the use of banned chemicals in our national drink, tea, transparently and serves the interests of 150 crore Indian tea consumers."

FAITTA views this directive as a significant stride towards implementing a more stringent process of testing and reporting food safety results. The association has pledged to actively participate in the dust tea auctions, aiming to enhance transparency and boost buyer confidence.

Chairman Sanjay Shah further stated, "This system will enhance transparency and boost the confidence of buyers. It will benefit small tea growers, who will be able to gauge what prices buyers are paying for their produce and demand their fair share from bought leaf factories. FAITTA is committed to supporting the auction system and ensuring fair price discovery for small tea growers."

FAITTA remains dedicated to providing teas compliant with food safety standards to consumers in India and abroad, seeking the collaboration and support of small tea growers and bought-leaf factories in this endeavor.