19.70 million kg sold in 2013-14 as opposed to 19.83 million kg
Dr B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, addresses the 32nd AGM of Tea Trade Association of Coimbatore. (Photo: DC/File)
Coimbatore: The volume of tea sold at the tea auction centre in Coimbatore has come down significantly during 2013-14, said chairman of the Tea Trade Association, Dr B.K. Krishnaraja Vanavarayar. Sale has dropped down to 19.70 million kg in 2013-14 from 19.83 million kg in the previous financial year.
The reason for the dip is the increase in crop in southern India which has, in turn, resulted in a decline of the average price of tea sold, the chairman said. The Tea Trade Association in Coimbatore is in the process of initiating a suitable action plan to reverse the falling trend. Its chairman appealed to tea manufacturers to maintain quality standards and requested buyers to pay reasonable prices in the Coimbatore tea auctions, on a par with other auction centres.
He urged brokers to be proactive in bringing more quantity to the centre and marketing in such a fashion so that tea manufacturers were able to get reasonable prices. Dr Vanavarayar pointed out that Indian tea exports registered a growth of about 5 per cent in terms of volume in 2013, compared to 2012. According to Tea Board figures, tea exports from India increased by 11 million kg to 219 million kg in 2013, against 208 million kg in 2012.
Stating that the electronic tea auction system needs to be improved, he said a recent circular stated that e-auction expenses of Rs 5 crore shall be borne by stakeholders of the tea industry from April 2015, as the Government of India is unable to support the venture.
Nevertheless, the Tea Board will persuade the ministry of commerce and industry to allocate adequate funds for running e-auctions without burdening the stakeholders who are already affected due to declining tea prices, he said.
Tea manufacturers should ensure that tea produced adheres to the FSSAI standard and buyers should support quality tea manufacturers by procuring such tea by offering them good prices, he added.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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