A mixed trend prevailed at Sale No. 19 of the Kolkata tea auction this week.
While the average orthodox prices was up at Rs 226.93 compared with last week’s Rs 224.32 a kg, that of CTC was down at Rs 150.58 (Rs 156.63), according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, tea auctioneers. An estimated 92 per cent (91.34 per cent) of orthodox and 67.22 per cent (75.40 per cent) of CTC volumes offered were sold.
This week at Sale Number 19, the total offerings (packages) at the North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguir were 1,78,211 compared with 1,24,613 in the corresponding sale (Number 19) of last year (2012).
This week the offerings at Kolkata auction comprised CTC/dust 58,838 (40,627), orthodox 15,180 (6,679) and Darjeeling 4,005 (2,373); Guwahati 59,298 (37,733) and Siliguri 40,890 (37,201).
Selected liquoring Assam CTC brokens sold well while the remaining Assams were easier. Good Dooars tended lower.
Tata Global operated on the top liquoring broken grades. There was selective support from Hindustan Unilever. Western India operated actively. Clean well made orthodox whole leaf and larger broken grades were firm with a few lines appreciating. Bolder whole leaf grades were firm to occasionally dearer. Smaller brokens were irregularly lower. Fannings eased in value. Continental exporters operated on the tippy teas on offer. The CIS and the West Asian shippers operated actively. There was fair interest from local dealers.