Continuing the Department of Commerce outreach drive, the second stakeholder conference on Tea Industry Sustainability, Quality, and Competitiveness was convened at Tea Board HO, Kolkata, on October 8, 2026. Chaired by the Deputy Chairman, Tea Board of India, alongside the Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce (Govt. of India), and Director (Plantations), the session brought together producers, buyers, exporters, brokers, and Small Tea Growers to chart an actionable path forward.

Key discussions focused on: Remunerative Pricing & Market Viability: Addressing stagnant made-tea prices, rising cost of production, and evaluations around Minimum Sustainable Price (MSP). Auction Modernization & Fair Trade: Faster price realization, reducing auction cycle turnaround times (drawing on the Jorhat/Dibrugarh models), and rationalizing sampling norms. Quality Standards & MRL Rationalization: Strengthening pesticide MRL compliance (including harmonization with FSSAI/global norms for Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid) and promoting tea as a safe, healthy beverage. Revival of Darjeeling & GI Teas: Dedicated EFC provisions, addressing low productivity via replantation, and tackling the impact of unchecked Nepal tea inflows. Export Competitiveness & Logistics: Enhancing RoDTEP/freight incentives, multi-year international fair calendars under ‘Brand India’, and mitigating rising shipping costs. Welfare & Handholding of Small Tea Growers (STGs): Bringing leaf agents under TMCO oversight, direct credit mechanisms, advance training calendars, and integration of tea into central welfare/irrigation schemes. A united, forward-looking dialogue to safeguard industry livelihoods, protect GI heritage, and secure the global prestige of Indian tea.