Tea convention in Coimbatore today

The third edition of the national convention on south Indian tea will be held in the city today. The event, being organised by the Tea Trade Association of Coimbatore (TTAC), is aimed at promoting various grades of tea produced in the region domestically.

Addressing a press conference, U V Saraf, chairman, TTAC, said the convention will highlight the improved tea processing methods being adopted by the producers in the region and benefits of marketing value-added tea products. The convention's theme is tea for health and is aimed at promoting tea as a health beverage.

Pankaj Dant, general manager, Tata Tea Ltd, M H Ashraff, managing director, Tata Coffee Ltd, and A M Amarakoon, senior research officer, Tea Research Institute, Sri Lanka, are expected to attend the meet.

Hemant J Shah, director, Girnar Tea, said more upcountry buyers such as Iran have started showing interest in the southern tea varieties because of the best quality winter tea. However, marketing has to be focussed on, he said.

Apart from the delegates from Sri Lanka and London, as many as 150 buyers from the north may also take part in the convention.

Associations such as the Tea Board and United Planters' Association of South India have been setting up parlours across the country aimed at ensuring quality and luring the cola drinking population.