Producers, brokers disagree on tea sale via auction only

The Tea Board’s proposal to have all tea sold only by auction has led to disagreement between producers and brokers, the major two stakeholders in the trade.

Brokers favour all the produce to be routed through open auction channels. Producers want to increase the number of sales channels. The Board had sought comments on the proposal.

The brokers argue auctions will mean better price realisation and improve the quality offered in these sales. Producers say the auction market doesn’t have enough capital to absorb the entire volume. They’d like the Board to open other channels, like direct online sales.

Anshuman Kanoria, chairman of