Goodricke set to enter iced-tea market

Tea plantation company, Goodricke, is planning to enter the retail segment with the launch of iced tea in both powdered and bottled beverage forms.

The commercial launch of iced-tea powder sachets will commence shortly, A N Singh, managing director and CEO, Goodricke, said at the company's annual general meeting. 

''For the iced-tea beverages, we are looking for distribution partners,'' he added. The company, he said, is in talks with established retail players including a Japanese multinational.

Goodricke, the Indian subsidiary of Camellia Plc of UK, though is keen to sell the products under its brand name. ''Everybody wants us to be a supplier for them rather than joint ventureship. But we will sell the product under Goodricke brand only,'' Singh said.

Based on the structure of the distribution network, the company would decide on retailing the beverage in a tetra pack or bottle.

''We are almost ready with the product. As soon as we find the distributor we will be in the market,'' Singh added.