‘Precipitous decline’ of tea prices at North India auction centres threatens viability and livelihoods of tea growers, says ITA chairman

As the “precipitous decline” of tea prices at the North India auction centres threatens viability and livelihoods of tea growers, a minimum sustainable price has been a consistent call of the industry, said Indian Tea Association chairman Hemant Bangur.

North Indian average auction prices in recent months tells a “stark tale”, Bangur said. “Data released for August 2025 reflect North India tea prices falling by ₹16.87 per kg-well below the price realisation range of last year. This precipitous decline at auctions across the board-down by over 7.6 per cent-threatens viability and livelihoods,” he said at the 142nd annual general meeting of Indian Tea Association (ITA) in Kolkata.

“A minimum sustainable price has been a consistent call of the industry, and sooner that happens, the better,”