This week at Sale Number 22, the total offerings (packages) at three North Indian tea auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 2,57,076 compared to 1,61,444 in the corresponding sale (No. 22) of last year, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers.
The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/dust 1,04,402 (59,934), orthodox 27,351 (8,192) and Darjeeling 3,371 (3,432).
The Guwahati and Siliguri offerings, comprising mainly CTC/dust were: Guwahati 75,991 (55,774) and Siliguri 46,041 (34,092).
CTCs witnessed good general demand.
Liquoring Assams showing improvement in quality sold well with competition.
Medium and plainer varieties tended lower.
Dooars also followed a similar trend.
TGBL & Western India buyers operated for improved sorts.
HUL lent fair support for medium/better mediums.
Other internal segments were fairly active.
Orthodox
Cleaner well made whole leaf was irregular around last levels. Remainder tended lower. Larger brokens also declined.
Smaller brokens maintained prices at last levels. Fannings were firm to dearer.
Shippers to West Asia & CIS were active. North India buyers were active for bolder whole leaf. HUL was selective for liquoring fannings.
Darjeeling
Whole leaf varieties witnessed improved enquiry and sold well with competition.
Brokens tended lower. Fannings sold at around last levels. TGBL lent useful support. HUL did not operate. Traditional exporters were active. Reduced export enquiry on fannings.
Local buyers operated for cheaper sorts.