
The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) has reported its highest-ever sales in over five decades, signaling a major revival and boom in Assam’s iconic tea industry. According to industry officials, the GTAC recorded unprecedented turnover in the 2024–25 fiscal year, both in terms of volume and value, making it the most successful year in the auction centre’s 52-year history.
Established in 1970, the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre is the largest CTC (crush, tear, curl) tea auction centre in the world. It serves as a key marketplace for Assam’s tea growers, buyers, and exporters, and is considered a vital indicator of the overall health of the tea economy in Northeast India.
Historic Sales Milestone
During the financial year, GTAC saw total tea sales exceeding 210 million kilograms, breaking all previous records. The turnover value touched an all-time high of over ₹7,000 crore, surpassing the figures of the last several years combined. This success is being credited to a combination of favorable market conditions, improved quality control, growing global demand, and aggressive promotion of Assam Tea as a premium product.
“This is a moment of pride not just for GTAC but for every tea grower and worker in Assam. It is proof that Assam Tea is not just surviving, but thriving in the global market,” said an elated Bidyananda Barkakoty, a senior member of the Tea Board of India and adviser to the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA).
Factors Behind the Boom
Several key factors have contributed to this resurgence in Assam’s tea industry. First, a series of reforms and digitalization initiatives have streamlined auction processes at GTAC, making it more efficient and transparent for buyers and sellers alike.
Second, a renewed focus on quality has led to higher prices and better demand for Assam’s CTC and orthodox tea varieties. Many estates have invested in modernizing production, improving packaging, and adopting sustainable farming practices to meet both domestic and international standards.
“The quality of tea arriving at GTAC has improved significantly,” said a senior official at the centre. “There’s been a clear shift towards better processing, ethical sourcing, and meeting consumer expectations, which has helped push prices up.”
Moreover, global market dynamics have also played a role. With weather conditions affecting crop outputs in some of the world’s other major tea-producing countries, international buyers turned their attention to India, particularly Assam, known for its strong, malty teas. Exports to the UK, Iran, Russia, and the Gulf countries saw significant increases this year.
Impact on Local Economy
The booming auction season has had a ripple effect on Assam’s rural economy, particularly among small tea growers and estate workers. Improved pricing has led to better returns for thousands of smallholders who contribute nearly 50% of the state’s total tea production.
“It’s been a good year for us. We got better rates for our produce, and payments were timely,” said Rani Das, a small tea grower in Dibrugarh. “If this trend continues, it will bring real change to our lives.”
The tea industry in Assam directly employs over one million people, and indirectly supports many more through ancillary services such as transportation, packaging, and logistics. The record performance of GTAC is expected to drive further investment into the sector.
Future Outlook and Government Support
Recognizing the potential of Assam’s tea sector, the state and central governments have stepped up support. From financial subsidies for tea garden modernization to marketing assistance for exports, multiple schemes are being implemented to sustain the momentum.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated the GTAC and the state’s tea community, calling the achievement “a major milestone in Assam’s economic journey.” He also hinted at plans for further international promotion of Assam Tea, especially in untapped markets like East Asia and Africa.
As the world rediscovers the bold flavors and rich legacy of Assam Tea, the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre’s record-breaking year stands as a testament to the resilience, innovation, and potential of the region’s most iconic industry. With the right support and sustained quality, the future for Assam’s tea looks steeped in promise.