📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Trinity Saioo
Business
Meghalaya pushes Lakadong tea onto G7 agenda, aims for global brand
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 23 Aug 2026, 08:39 PM
👁 22
Meghalaya officials presented the state’s signature Lakadong tea at the G7 summit, seeking international recognition and export opportunities.
Meghalaya’s tourism and commerce ministries joined the G7 summit delegation to showcase Lakadong tea, a high‑altitude variety prized for its strong flavor and health benefits. The presentation highlighted the tea’s unique terroir in the Jaintia Hills and its recent Geographical Indication (GI) registration.
State officials said the exposure at the G7 platform is intended to attract foreign buyers and position Lakadong alongside other premium global teas. Marketing agencies are preparing a branding campaign that emphasizes sustainable cultivation practices and the cultural heritage of the Khasi and Jaintia communities.
Economists note that successful branding could boost export earnings for the state, create new jobs in cultivation and processing, and reduce reliance on traditional crops. However, challenges remain in scaling production while maintaining quality standards required by international markets.
The initiative aligns with Meghalaya’s broader strategy to leverage its natural resources for economic diversification, aiming to turn a regional specialty into a recognized global commodity.
State officials said the exposure at the G7 platform is intended to attract foreign buyers and position Lakadong alongside other premium global teas. Marketing agencies are preparing a branding campaign that emphasizes sustainable cultivation practices and the cultural heritage of the Khasi and Jaintia communities.
Economists note that successful branding could boost export earnings for the state, create new jobs in cultivation and processing, and reduce reliance on traditional crops. However, challenges remain in scaling production while maintaining quality standards required by international markets.
The initiative aligns with Meghalaya’s broader strategy to leverage its natural resources for economic diversification, aiming to turn a regional specialty into a recognized global commodity.