Sourenee Leaves Pvt Ltd (SLPL) to sell Darjeeling teas in foreign markets

Kolkata-based Sourenee Leaves Pvt Ltd (SLPL), a part of the Titagarh Group, is planning to sell packaged Darjeeling teas in foreign markets like Europe and the US, as also in Canada, from next year.

From 2009, the company has been selling organic teas in bulk through tea auctions and private sales.

"The company has now embarked on expanding the sphere of activity from the traditional bulk sales with the launching of smaller unit packaged teas in cartons with leaf teas and tea bags to reach out directly to the consumers of quality Darjeeling teas. Right now we are making a foray into package teas in the domestic market," said Vinita Bajoria, a member of the promoter Titagarh Group, here Monday.

Bajoria said the company was likely to sell packaged teas to the consumers in the foreign markets from next year.

"We will be selling our teas abroad either under the Sourenee umbrella or tying up with some major brands. We will be definitely selling our teas in the foreign markets… whether it will be under Sourenee banner or we give the distribution rights to someone else that we have not decided yet," she said.

The company said it was eyeing to sell about 80 percent of its total sales by packaged teas within two years.

The company is also eyeing to enter into tea tourism.

"We are targeting next year to foray into tea tourism. We are planning to set up a hotel at the Sourenee Tea Estate (situated in West Bengal's Darjeeling district). We are waiting for the tourism department's clearance," Bajoria added.

--IANS