Cricket took precedence over business for the tea industry and trade in the Nilgiris on Wednesday.

The India-Pakistan semi-final match was telecast live on a big screen in the auction hall of the Coonoor Tea Trade Association. Buyers, sellers and brokers who assembled thumped desks to support every run India scored. Buyer-members sponsored dinner to catch up with each ball until the end. However, interest waned once Sachin Tendulkar got out. “This occasion gave us an opportunity for a get-together. Since the abolition of shouting out a bid at auctions and the introduction of e-auctions, tea trade's three players – sellers, buyers and brokers – seldom get a chance to be together. Cricket gave us the bonding today,” a broker-member told Business Line .

Although patriotically, all sections of the trade kept on cheering India, business-wise, tea trade treats Pakistan as an essential partner. For three months now, Pakistan has been the only supporter worth mentioning on the export front at Coonoor tea auctions. It has been buying selectively clean small black fannings for Rs 51-70 a kg.

The offices of tea producers, traders and brokers were closed early to enable employees to watch the match. In some cases, attendance was thin in the afternoon.With the leaf auction scheduled for Thursday having been shifted to Friday, traders said that they could afford to close business early. “In any case, even our principals in upcountry centres are watching the match. The Prime Minister has set the agenda for the day himself watching the match. Trade can wait for a day!” a buyer said.

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