The declining trend persisted at the Kolkata tea auction this week, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers.
At Sale Number 29, the average price of orthodox was Rs 237.45 a kg compared with last week’s (Sale 28) Rs 253.82.
The corresponding figures for CTC were Rs 148.75 and Rs 153.60 respectively.
An estimated 84.99 per cent (88.24) of orthodox and 72.26 per cent (65.75) of CTC volumes on offer were sold.
This week, the total offerings (packages) at the three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 3,91,618 compared with 3,90,364 in the corresponding sale (No. 29) last year.
The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/dust: 1,22,596 (1,45,659), orthodox 37,985 (25,131) and Darjeeling 9,935 (5,876). The offerings at two other centres were Guwahati 1,15,584 (1,23,295) and Siliguri 1,05,518 ( 90,403).
Liquoring Assam CTC teas continued to meet with strong enquiry and sold at irregularly lower rates while the remainder was lower following quality, particularly medium and plainer fannings.
Dooars sold irregularly lower. There was improved interest from Tata Global on the leaf grades and active support for the dust grades. Hindustan Unilever operated mainly for the mediums.
Western India operated actively for the liquoring teas. There were good enquiries from other internal and local sections. The interest from the exporters was selective.
Orthodox tippy whole leaf grades met with good enquiry while tippy brokens saw less demand at easier rates.
Remainder tended lower, particularly smaller brokens and bolder whole leaf grades.
Fannings were firm to dearer. There was some Continental interest on the tippy sorts. West Asia and CIS exporters were active.
Hindustan Unilever operated selectively on bolder whole leaf grades.
Darjeeling offerings witnessed improved demand for whole leaf grades which 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 strong export enquiry for fannings.
santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in