KOLKATA: After being sold at a record price of USD 1,850 (around Rs 1.12 lakh) per kg, Darjeeling's Makaibari tea estate has become one of the most expensive tea producers in India.
"It is a matter of great pleasure and pride that Indian Tea, Makaibari, has booked orders at a record price of USD 1,850 per kg. That the orders have come from Japan, the UK and the US is also noteworthy," Tea Board Chairman Siddharth said.
He said at a time when the Tea Board and the tea industry are grappling with the issues of value addition and brand building, this news has come as a shot in the arm.
"Makaibari has been an iconic tea garden and we are very pleased to note that even after its ownership has recently changed hands, the high standard of its quality and recognition has grown further," Siddharth said.
Darjeeling Tea Association secretary Kaushik Basu said this is the highest ever price he has ever heard of for Indian tea.
"But this is a one off case. We have heard that it was a small sale of around 5 kg. I don't think it was a commercial sale or auction. It may have been sold on charity," he said.
Located in Kurseong, Makaibari is the ancestral property of Raja Banerjee who had recently sold off 90 per cent of his stake to Luxmi group.