The total offerings (packages) at three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 4,20,941 against 4,54,114 in the corresponding sale last year. Of this, the offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/Dust 1,19,884 (1,56,423), Orthodox 38,055 (35,626) and Darjeeling 10,759 (9,258). The offerings at two other centres handling mainly CTC/Dust, were: Guwahati 1,46,105(1,39,784) and Siliguri 1,06,138 (1,13,023).

Liquoring Assam CTC teas maintaining quality were firm to occasionally dearer while remaining Assams were irregularly lower. Dooars sold at irregularly lower levels. Tata Global was the mainstay. Hindustan Unilever was selective. Western India operated actively for the liquoring teas. There was a fair amount of enquiry from other internal and local sections. Export enquiries on fannings showed improvement.

Orthodox tippy teas sold well in line with quality. Clean well made whole leaf and brokens were around last. Fannings were irregularly easier. CIS and West Asia shippers were active. There was some Continental interest on the tippy teas. Hindustan Unilever operated selectively.

Darjeeling offerings met with better enquiry. Selected whole leaf varieties maintaining quality were readily absorbed. Brokens and fannings also declined. There was fair export interest. Local dealers operated for cheaper sorts. Tata Global was selective while there was better support from Hindustan Unilever.

>santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in

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