Last week at Sale No. 30 at Kolkata tea auction, CTC was sold not only at a lower price than that of the previous week but the volume too was lower, according to tea auctioneers J Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd.

Thus, the average CTC price was Rs 147.04 per kg compared to last week’s Rs 148.75 and the volume sold was 63.14 per cent (72.26 per cent).

Orthodox too attracted a lower price of Rs 225.14 per kg (Rs 237.45) but the volume sold was marginally higher at 85.41 per cent (84.99 per cent).

Last week, the total offerings (packages) at the three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 4,52,179 compared with 4,15,379 in the corresponding Sale No. 30 of last year.

The offerings at Kolkata were CTC/Dust 1,49,888 (1,61,603), Orthodox 48,505 (21,695) and Darjeeling 11,581 (6,300). The offerings at two other centres handling mainly CTC/Dust were Guwahati 1,37,316 (1,35,022) and Siliguri 1,04,889 (90,759).

Liquoring Assam CTC teas sold at irregularly lower rates while the remainder was lower following quality, particularly medium and plainer fannings, which met with less demand. Dooars sold irregularly lower.

There was fair interest from Tata Global. Hindustan Unilever operated selectively for the mediums. Western India operated actively for the liquoring teas. There were good enquiries from other internal and local sections. Interest from the exporters was selective.

Orthodox tippy whole leaf grades were readily absorbed at useful levels, while tippy brokens saw less demand at easier rates. Remainder tended lower, particularly bolder whole leaf grades.

Fannings were irregular around last levels and occasionally lower following quality. There was some Continental interest on the tippy sorts. West Asia and CIS exporters were active.

Darjeeling whole leaf grades sold around last levels. Tata Global and Hindustan Unilever lent useful support. Traditional exporters operated. Brokens sold at irregular rates while fannings maintained levels. There was good export enquiry for fannings.

>santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in