Dibrugarh Launches First Public Tea E-Auction to Transform Assam's Tea Trade

Dibrugarh is set to make history with its first public tea e-auction on September 25, organized by Assam Chai Bazaar LLP. This initiative aims to create a digital marketplace that connects local tea producers with buyers across India, significantly impacting the tea industry in Upper Assam. The auction will feature 258 lots of various tea types, attracting notable buyers such as Tata Consumer Products and Jindutt Pharmaceuticals. This move is crucial for small tea growers and aims to reduce transaction costs while streamlining the sales process. The event marks a pivotal shift in how tea is auctioned in Assam, bringing it closer to the heart of production.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 25, 2026, 09:14 IST

Dibrugarh's Historic Tea E-Auction

The tea garden in Majuli

DIBRUGARH, Sept 25: A significant milestone in the tea industry is unfolding in Upper Assam, as Dibrugarh prepares to host its first-ever public tea e-auction on September 25. This initiative aims to bring organized auctioning closer to one of India's key tea-producing regions.

The inaugural auction, organized by Assam Chai Bazaar LLP, is set to launch a new digital marketplace for tea, linking producers from the tea-rich upper Assam area with buyers nationwide.

The ceremonial opening will take place at HM Resort, featuring C Murugan, deputy chairman of the Tea Board of India, as the chief guest, alongside executive director Arunita Phukan Yadav as the guest of honor.

Interest in the first sale has been robust, with 127 sellers and 55 buyers already registered with Assam Chai Bazaar LLP. The auction is expected to feature 258 lots, totaling approximately 2.23 lakh kg of various tea types and specialties.

Notable buyers participating in the auction include Tata Consumer Products Limited, Jindutt Pharmaceuticals, Vikram Tea Processor Pvt Ltd, CI Limited, and Pranjivan J Shah, showcasing the involvement of established industry players in this new venture.

This launch is particularly significant as it establishes a formal public tea auction within the upper Assam tea belt, rather than relocating auction activities away from the primary production areas.

Dibrugarh and the nearby Tinsukia region are recognized as major tea-producing zones, with the broader upper Assam area housing a large number of Assam's tea estates.

Government statistics indicate that nearly 70% of Assam's large tea estates are situated in Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo, with Dibrugarh alone having the highest concentration of tea estates in the state as of 2023.

This development is particularly impactful for small tea growers, who have emerged as a vital component of Assam's tea economy.

Chand Kumar Gohain, one of the promoters of Assam Chai Bazaar, noted that tea-producing regions within a 120 km radius of Dibrugarh, including adjacent districts and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, form a significant catchment area for the new marketplace.

“Our primary goal was to bring the auction closer to the tea-producing area rather than relocating the produce and commercial activities elsewhere. This platform aims to lower transaction costs and expedite the process from production to sale and payment,” Gohain explained.