The average prices of orthodox and CTC leaf teas at Sale Number 39 this week at Kolkata auction were lower than those at last week’s sale, but the offerings (packages), unlike last week, were higher not only at Kolkata but also at the other two auction centres, Guwahati and Siliguri, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers.
Orthodox
The average price of orthodox leaf was Rs 203.83 a kg compared with Rs 210.43 last week. Brokerwise, the Paramount list attracted the highest average price of Rs 234.91; followed by J. Thomas & Company Rs 213.88; Parcon Rs 198.73; Contemporary Rs 185.87; Associated Brokers Rs 171.20; and Assam Tea Brokers Rs 128.08.
Ctc
The average price of CTC leaf was lower at Rs 142.68 (Rs 144.39) and the Assam Tea Brokers’ list attracted the highest average price of Rs 159.58; J. Thomas & Company Rs 155.97; Contemporary Rs 145.94; Parcon Rs 130.15; Associated Brokers Rs 125.48; S Chatterjee Rs 123.82; and Paramount Rs 122.80.
The total offerings at the three North Indian auction centres were 4,62,111 packages compared to 3,35,782 in the corresponding Sale 39 of last year. The offerings at Kolkata auction comprised CTC/dust 1,66,876 (1,00,244); orthodox 25,894 (43,655) and Darjeeling, 8,904 (8,704).
The offerings at two other centres comprising mainly CTC/dust were: Guwahati 1,39, 917 (1,35,462) and Siliguri 1,20,520 (47,717).
Liquoring Assam CTCs sold at around last levels while the remainder was irregularly lower.
Selected better Dooars were barely steady and irregularly easier while the remainder eased in value. Tata Global was the mainstay and there was a fair support from Hindustan Unilever on the leaf teas and active enquiry for the dusts. Western India dealers operated on the liquoring sorts. North India and local sections were selective. Exporters operated on the larger brokens and fannings.
Whole leaf
Orthodox whole leaf and broken grades met with less demand at easier rates. Fannings saw selective demand and sold at sharply lower rates. There was a good support from Continental buyers on tippy and liquoring varieties. West Asian and the CIS shippers were active.
Fair support was seen from local and internal sections. Hindustan Unilever operated selectively on the whole leaf and smaller brokens.
Darjeeling whole leaf varieties continued to sell well with prices following quality. Brokens were easier while fanning were irregular. Tata Global and Hindustan Unilever were the mainstay. Exporters were selective on the brokens.