Abhishek Poddar elected UPASI president for 2026-27
Abhishek Poddar, managing director of tea grower and manufacturer Matheson Bosanquet Enterprises, has been elected president of the United Planters’ Association of Southern India for 2026-27. A V Thomas Group’s Anil Mathew will serve as vice president.
What happened
Abhishek Poddar, managing director of tea grower and manufacturer Matheson Bosanquet Enterprises, was elected UPASI president for 2026-27. A V Thomas Group’s Anil Mathew was elected vice president, bringing 35 years of plantation-sector experience.
Key facts
- 2026-27
- 35 years
Why this matters
Poddar and Mathew’s UPASI roles may make the association a more important channel for tracking sector policy priorities, sustainability standards, and collective industry initiatives.
What to watch
- President's inaugural remarks, formal agenda or committee announcements from UPASI.
- UPASI submissions or meetings concerning plantation wages, labor compliance, land policy, taxes or crop-protection regulations.
- Tea auction-price trends, export volumes and producer-margin data during 2026.
- Announcements on sustainability standards, traceability programs, replanting support or mechanization initiatives.
- Weather disruptions, pest outbreaks or climate-linked production declines in South Indian tea regions.
- UPASI may outline its 2026-27 policy priorities, committee appointments and engagement calendar after the leadership transition.
- The association is likely to increase representation on tea prices, plantation labor regulations, wage costs, crop protection rules and estate viability.
- Member companies may seek common positions on replanting, mechanization, productivity upgrades and climate-related crop risks.
- UPASI could elevate market-development initiatives for Indian tea, including quality differentiation and export competitiveness.