Guwahati, June 14: Vacuum-packed teas from a bought-leaf factory are all set to debut at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre.
Monkhooli Tea Company, based in Tinsukia, is offering the teas at the auction centre's sale number 26 on July 1.
The biggest advantage of vacuum packing is that it enhances the shelf life of tea, which helps to get better prices. "This pioneering new packaging technology revolutionises how tea is stored, thereby increasing its durability and shelf life," Sumit Agarwal, managing director of Monkhooli Tea Company, told The Telegraph.
The company is offering 2,070kg of tea, of which 1,020kg are of broken orange pekoe small variety and 1,050kg of broken pekoe grade of CTC variety. The tea is being sold by Paramount Tea Marketing Private Ltd, a broking company.
Monkhooli Tea Company, established in 2007, has an installed production capacity of 10 lakh kg and produces black tea in a completely automated and technology-driven plant. It buys tea from 62 small growers in Tinsukia and the nearby areas.
Industry sources say packaging plays a vital role in marketing of teas. Sources say all efforts to prevent made tea from absorbing moisture will be wasted if proper care is not taken during packing. Companies commonly use paper sacks and jute bags for packing tea.
The fact that a bought-leaf factory is offering vacuum packed tea for the first time assumes importance as they have been facing criticism for not meeting quality standards. The bought leaf segment produces 180-200 million kg tea in Assam and there are nearly 200 bought-leaf factories.
"I think we have set a new benchmark for the industry to catch up in terms of packaging of tea," Agarwal said. "In five years' time, vacuum-packing will be the industry standard," he added.
One of the best advantages of vacuum-packed tea is it can be purchased and stored during seasons when quality and prices are favourable and sold later when market conditions are better. Besides, aroma can be retained, as there is no external activity or contact with the atmosphere. The bacteria and fungi present before packing are destroyed after vacuum packing.
"I am confident of getting better price realisation once the buyers get the tea and when they find the quality intact later," Kamal Das, president of the broking company, told The Telegraph.
He said upcountry buyers often complain that teas are getting costlier while packaging is getting worse. "Good packaging is the answer and I think the complaint will soon be taken care of."
Last year, the Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers' Association had appealed to all industry stakeholders to take steps to regain buyers' confidence as several of them had complained about delivery of badly packed tea. The association had said buyers are angry as they make payments before lifting teas and after delivery often find tea packaging not adhering to guidelines. An official of a leading tea broking company said proper packaging not only protects teas in transit but is also an important tool in brand building.
Tea lab: Gujarat-based Wagh Bakri group, the third biggest packet tea company in the country, today announced setting up of a tea quality-testing laboratory in Assam.
Piyush Desai, managing director of the group, made the announcement today at the two-day buyer-seller interactive meet organised by the North Eastern Tea Association. The Rs 3crore-project will be implemented in collaboration with the association.
Desai said the meet will help to boost the relationship between buyers and sellers, provide a platform for interaction and make an in-depth analysis of all problems.
