At Sale No 34 at Kolkata tea auction this week, CTC leaf gained slightly while Orthodox leaf lost compared to last week (Sale No. 33), according to J Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers.

The average CTC leaf price was Rs 150.43 per kg compared with Rs 148.06 per kg and Rs 126.71 in the corresponding Sale No. 34 last year. The average Orthodox leaf price was Rs 232.24 against Rs 245.71 last week (Sale 33) and Rs 158.33 in the corresponding Sale No. 34 of last year.

In CTC Leaf, J Thomas list commanded the highest average price of Rs 161.46 per kg followed by Assam Tea Brokers, Rs 160.13, Contemporary, Rs 151.16, Parcon, Rs 142.02, Associated Brokers Rs 132.19, S Chatterjee, Rs 125.95, and Paramount, Rs 120.92.

In Orthodox leaf, J Thomas list again attracted the highest average price of Rs 246.10, followed by Parcon Rs 211.29, Contemporary, Rs 210.07, Associated Brokers, Rs 166.30 and Assam Tea Brokers, Rs 131.08.

The total offerings (packages) at the three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 3,83,321 compared with 4,33,596 in the corresponding sale (No. 34 ) of last year.

Offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/Dust 1,45,987 (1,53,321), Orthodox 24,869 (43,534) and Darjeeling 6,866 (6,299). The corresponding figures for two other centres were: Guwahati 1,09,406 (1,44,928) and Siliguri 96,193 (85,514).

Assam CTCs were barely steady around last levels and irregularly lower. Selected better Dooars sold around last levels while the remainder eased in value.

Tata Global was active and there was selective support from Hindustan Unilever on the leaf grades and better enquiry on the dusts.

Western India dealers supported the liquoring sorts. North India and local sections were selective. There was good support from exporters on the larger brokens and fannings.

Tippy Orthodox varieties met with better demand and sold readily in line with quality. Clean well-made whole leaf larger brokens and fannings were irregular around last while the remainder was irregularly lower.

There was good support from Continental buyers on tippy and liquoring varieties. West Asia and CIS shippers were active.

Darjeeling whole leaf varieties continued to sell well in line with quality. Tata Global was the mainstay, while Hindustan Unilever was selective. Brokens and fannings were irregular. Traditional exporters were active. Local dealers operated primarily on the cheaper sorts.

>santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in