Nilgiri winter speciality tea auction likely next year

The highly-rewarding speciality tea auction for Nilgiri winter teas which could not be held this calendar is likely to resume next year.

This follows the assurance given by Tea Board Executive Director R Ambalavanan to Nilgiris Planters’ Association (NPA) which conducts these speciality tea auctions.

“We had organised Nilgiri Winter Speciality auctions annually from 2005. These auctions had generated the attention of speciality tea buyers the world over. Considering the reach of these auctions, Tea Board had extended support for facilitating the auctions to be held on pan-India basis on e-auction platform of Coonoor Tea Trade Association. The Board had given us a grant to partially cover the auction expenses. However, last year, the Board declined to provide the financial support. We managed to conduct the auctions with considerable difficulty,” NPA Chairman KC Ponnappa said.

“Last year, as many as four lots were sold at prices above ₹10,000 a kg. The auctions served to showcase Nilgiris teas in general. We tried our level best to hold the auction this year as well but Tea Board again declined to extend financial support due to budgetary constraints. So, in 2014, we could not organise this auction which holds considerable promise. We have appealed to Tea Board to extend fiscal support to conduct the auction in 2015,” he detailed.