Agartala, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Tripura’s tea industry took a significant step forward on September 11, 2026, as it exported a remarkable 15.31 metric tons of tea to European markets. This shipment marks the largest single export consignment ever sent by the Tripura Tea Development Corporation Limited (TTDCL).
The high-quality consignment, weighing 15,310 kilograms, was officially dispatched from the Central Tea Processing Factory (CTPF) located in Durga Bari, West Tripura, and is en route to various European countries via Kolkata.
Key figures in the industry, including Kiran Gitte, Secretary of Industry and Commerce, TTDCL Chairman Samir Ranjan Ghosh, and Managing Director Rajesh Kumar Das, were present to flag off this significant shipment. Ghosh emphasized that this export is a crucial milestone in the state’s efforts to elevate Tripura tea beyond geographical boundaries and into larger international markets.
This consignment is nearly double the size of the previous largest shipment, which was sent to the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre earlier this year and weighed 8,200 kilograms. This growth highlights the increasing commercial potential of Tripura’s tea sector.
Ghosh noted that this development is expected to create new opportunities for local tea producers and strengthen the state’s position in the international tea market. He also mentioned that the state government is working on establishing a tea auction center in Agartala to facilitate better marketing and pricing for tea producers and manufacturers.
The proposed auction center aims to bring together tea producers, manufacturers, brokers, buyers, warehouses, and other stakeholders on a common technology-based platform. It is anticipated that electronic bidding and increased participation will help set competitive prices and enhance market access for tea produced in Tripura.
According to TTDCL officials, the auction center could also reduce costs related to freight, warehousing, sampling, handling, and other logistics, potentially saving around 6-10 rupees per kilogram.
For decades, Tripura has had significant potential as a tea-producing state, but challenges related to marketing, branding, logistics, and access to larger markets remain. The government’s goal is to advance the state’s tea sector beyond mere production, positioning Tripura as a major hub for tea trade in the Northeast. This could attract investment, generate employment, and strengthen the supporting infrastructure and commercial ecosystem.
Additionally, ‘Tripureshwari Tea’ is being distributed through local ration shops, increasing access to the state’s tea products. Currently, Tripura has 54 large tea estates, including those owned by the government TTDCL, Tripura Cooperative Society, and private owners.
Approximately 2,800 small tea producers contribute around 30 percent of the state’s total tea production, which amounts to about 9 million kilograms annually. More than 60 percent of this production is sold in auction markets outside the state.
Next year, a tea auction center is also expected to open in Tripura, promising to significantly boost the state’s beverage industry.
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