Tea prices drop in Tamil Nadu as HUL and Tata skip auction

The two majors skipped auction as there is confusion in billing due to GST

The tea prices in Tamil Nadu dropped to Rs 65 a kg from Rs 95 as Hindustan Unilever and Tata skipped the auctions at Coonoor and Coimbatore. 

There is no clarity on billing issues after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation due to which both the majors did not participate, S Ramu, founder chairman, Small Tea Growers Association of Southern India said. 

Hindustan Unilever and Tata have been sourcing nearly 70 per cent of the tea, which was coming from these two centres.

Previously, buyers and producers used to deal directly. Now, producers want to deal directly, but the