Guwahati, Sept. 25 -- Assam's tea trade gained a new market hub on Friday with Dibrugarh becoming the state's second tea auction centre after Guwahati, bringing organised price discovery closer to one of the country's major tea-producing belts.

The inaugural e-auction conducted by Assam Chai Bazaar at H.M. Resort in Dibrugarh is expected to reduce the logistical burden on producers who have traditionally had to move tea to auction centres in Guwahati and Kolkata, incurring additional transportation and handling costs.

The development is particularly significant for tea producers in Upper Assam, including growers in and around Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar and Charaideo.

The first auction attracted 126 sellers and more than 50 buyers, ...