At Sale Number 49 at the Kolkata tea auction this week, the average price of Orthodox tea was up at Rs 188.56 per kg as compared to Rs 180.88 per kg at Sale Number 48 last week. An estimated 85.93 per cent (84.15 per cent) of the offerings were sold. The average price of CTC was lower at Rs 146.01 (Rs 148.17) per kg and the offerings sold were 79.5 per cent (81.47 per cent), according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers.

 The total offerings (packages) at the three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 4,52,524  as compared to 4,30,528 in the corresponding Sale number 49 of last year.

 The offerings at Kolkata comprised  CTC/Dust 1,41,559 (1,63,703), Orthodox 36,138 (36,418) and Darjeeling 5,832 (8,267). The figures for the two other centres, mainly handling CTC/Dust, were:  Guwahati 1,64,637( 1,16,626) and Siliguri 1,04,358 (1,05,514).

Assam CTC teas maintaining quality sold at firm to dearer rates while the remainder was barely steady and irregularly lower. Better Dooars were barely steady and irregularly lower, while the remainder generally eased in value. Hindustan Unilever was selective, while Tata Global continued to operate actively. Western India dealers were active on the liquoring sorts. There was good enquiry from North India and the local sections. Exporters operated mainly on the bolder brokens.

 The Orthodox whole leaf grades appreciated in value. Brokens were irregular following quality with selected teas dearer. Fannings met with less enquiry and eased in value. There was some continental enquiry on the tippy and liquoring varieties. Exporters to the CIS and West Asia operated actively.

 Selected Darjeeling teas showing seasonal improvement in quality were keenly competed for by Hindustan Unilever and traditional exporters and sold well.  Brokens were firm to dearer following improved export interest, while fannings sold at irregular levels.