New Delhi: India must build a global portfolio of premium tea products beyond its traditional strengths of Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri if it wants to sharpen its competitive edge in an evolving global beverages market, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said.
Addressing the Sankalp Foundation’s National Conference on Safe Tea Production in New Delhi on Friday, Goyal said the country’s tea industry could unlock significantly higher value only through sustained innovation, premium branding and export-oriented product development rather than relying solely on its legacy varieties.
The minister argued that global demand is increasingly shifting toward wellness-driven, lifestyle-focused and signature blends, and India must respond with new products tailored to changing consumer preferences.
He stressed that quality will be decisive for India’s long-term leadership, and called for an uncompromising emphasis on sustainable practices, responsible labour standards and low MRL levels to maintain credibility in world markets.
Goyal urged researchers and scientists to capitalize on India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions to develop new varieties and high-value niche offerings that can fetch better prices for growers, especially small farmers.
He said innovation-based value addition was critical not just for boosting export earnings but also for strengthening the livelihoods of millions dependent on tea cultivation and processing.
Even as India remains one of the world’s biggest producers and exporters, shipping nearly 255 million tonnes of tea annually, Goyal said the sector needs proactive policy and industry support to preserve its strategic economic and cultural significance. Inputs from conferences such as this, he added, would guide the ministry and the Tea Board in designing future interventions.
The minister underlined that the Modi government has been prioritizing the welfare of tea growers and associated workers, citing the ₹1,000-crore package for the sector and digital initiatives like the Chai Sahayog App aimed at enabling better price discovery for small growers. He noted that tea’s deep cultural relevance to Indian households makes the sector’s progress a matter of both economic and social importance.
Blockchain-based tracking can ensure transparency from plucking to export, protect against adulteration or mixing with lower-quality imports, and reinforce the authenticity of Indian tea brands. (Photo courtesy: PickPic)
Digital Traceability
Goyal identified full traceability across the supply chain as a transformative reform for restoring global buyer confidence. Blockchain-based tracking, he said, can ensure transparency from plucking to export, protect against adulteration or mixing with lower-quality imports, and reinforce the authenticity of Indian tea brands. Such digital traceability, he noted, would ultimately translate into stronger global reputation and improved returns for farmers.
Sustainability emerged as another core imperative, with the minister advocating wider adoption of water-efficient cultivation practices like drip irrigation and eco-friendly biodegradable packaging to meet rising environmental expectations in global markets. He emphasized an urgent need to push value-added, branded, and packaged teas rather than relying on commodity exports if India wants to consistently command premium pricing abroad.
Looking beyond production economics, Goyal also highlighted the need for improving education and opportunity for children in tea-growing regions, saying sectoral advancement must be socially inclusive. He reiterated the importance of skilling, mechanization and predictive farming technologies — including weather and pest forecasting systems — to raise productivity and resilience for growers.
Finally, Goyal called for a refreshed marketing narrative that integrates storytelling around origin, process and terroir to enhance emotional and commercial appeal in international markets. He encouraged the industry to invest in advanced testing infrastructure, assuring full support from FSSAI, BIS and EIC to set up world-class facilities that can reinforce global confidence in Indian tea.
Overall, the minister positioned the sector at a decisive transition point—where innovation, quality assurance, sustainability and branding will determine whether India remains a global tea powerhouse or cedes ground to emerging competitors.