Guwahati: The North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) has announced that it will confer its Lifetime Achievement Award on Piyush Desai, Chairman of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to India’s tea industry.
Founded in 1892, the Wagh Bakri Tea Group has grown into one of the country’s leading packaged tea companies, recording a turnover of over Rs 2,000 crore and distributing more than 50 million kilograms of tea annually. With an estimated 9 per cent market share, Wagh Bakri ranks as India’s third-largest tea brand, after Hindustan Unilever and Tata Consumer Products.
Ajay Dhandharia, Immediate Past Chairman of NETA, described Desai as a “tea maestro” and a visionary leader. He is a tea tasting and evaluation expert with over six decades of experience in the industry. As the patriarch of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group, he has played a pivotal role in setting and maintaining high standards of quality through his deep knowledge and insight,” Dhandharia said.
NETA adviser Bidyananda Barkakoty said Desai is among the foremost patriarchs of the Indian tea industry. He noted that Desai previously served as Chairman of the Federation of All India Tea Traders Association (FAITTA), the apex body representing tea packers and traders, and was also a founder chairman of the Western India Tea Dealers Association (WITDA).
Barkakoty further highlighted the close connection between Assam and Gujarat, pointing out that Assam is the country’s largest tea producer while Gujarat is its largest consumer.
In the past, NETA has honoured industry stalwarts Apurba Kumar Barooah and Sagar Mehta with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their significant contributions to the tea sector and society.
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Established in 1981, NETA is a leading body of tea producers with 183 member companies across Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Its members account for approximately 165 million kilograms of made tea annually, representing about 23 per cent of Assam’s total tea production. NETA is also a constituent member of the Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations (CCPA), the national umbrella body of tea producers.
