Good demand at N. Indian tea sale

This week at Sale No. 23, the total offerings (packages) at three North Indian tea auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 2,31,974 compared with 1,92,839 in the corresponding sale (No. 23) last year, according to tea auctioneers J Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd.

Offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/Dust 79,152 (72,817), Orthodox 16,816 (11,513) and Darjeeling 3,858 (4,507). Offerings at Guwahati were 84,390 (65,783) and Siliguri 48,388 (38219).

CTC : The market witnessed good demand. Assams tended lower except for selected improved varieties which sold well. Dooars followed a similar trend. TGBL was selective. HUL operated for medium varieties. Western India was active for liquoring sorts. There was some export enquiry for bolder brokens & fannings.

Orthodox: Clean well made whole leaf & larger brokens sold at around last levels. Smaller brokens & fannings tended firm to dearer. Shippers to CIS and West Asia were active. North India buyers were active for bolder whole leaf grades. Local dealers operated for liquoring fannings.

Darjeeling: Whole leaf varieties witnessed improved enquiry and sold in line with quality. TGBL lent useful support and traditional exporters were active for few improved sorts on offer. Brokens & fannings were readily absorbed around last levels.