A volume of 12.37 lakh kg has been catalogued for Sale No: 36 of Coonoor Tea Trade Association auctions to be held on Thursday and Friday, according to an analysis of brokers’ listings. It is some 4,000 kg more than last week’s offer but 39,000 kg less than the volume offered at the same time last year.

Of the 12.37 lakh kg on offer, 9.16 lakh kg belongs to the leaf grades and 3.21 lakh kg belongs to the dust grades. As much as 11.82 lakh kg belongs to CTC variety and only 0.55 lakh kg, orthodox variety. The proportion of orthodox teas continues to be low in both the leaf and dust grades. In the leaf counter, only 0.31 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 8.85 lakh kg, CTC. Among the dusts, only 0.24 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 2.97 lakh kg, CTC.

Of the 12.37 lakh kg coming up for sale, fresh tea accounts for 10.79 lakh kg. As much as 1.58 lakh kg comprises teas which had remained unsold in previous auctions.

Among CTC teas last week, Pekoe Dust of Homedale Estate, auctioned by Global Tea Brokers, topped the market when Jaykay Enterprises bought it for Rs 177 a kg.

Quotations held by brokers indicated bids ranging Rs 66-71 a kg for plain leaf grades and Rs 115-150 for brighter liquoring sorts. They ranged Rs 75-80 for plain dusts and Rs 120-170 for brighter liquoring dusts.

In the leaf auctions, Hindustan Unilever Ltd operated on good medium varieties. Duncans Tea Ltd and Tata Global Beverages Ltd did not operate. In the dust auction, HUL was fairly active on good mediums. Tata Global and Duncans did not operate. Indcoserve showed some interest on smaller grades. Exporters chose medium and plainer varieties. There was good demand for brighter liquoring teas from upcountry buyers.

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