The New Year’s first sale this week at Kolkata tea auction was marked by a mixed trend in prices.
While the average CTC price was up at Rs 149.39 per kg as compared to last week’s Rs 146.18 per kg, the average Orthodox price was lower at Rs 141.71 per kg (Rs 153.58 per kg) according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd., the tea auctioneers.
At the last year’s first sale at Kolkata auction, the average CTC price was lower at Rs 144.37 per kg while the average Orthodox price was much higher at Rs 167.02 per kg.
An estimated 86.3 per cent (80.49 per cent in last week) of CTC and 78.26 per cent (73.26 per cent) of Orthodox volumes offered this week were sold. The corresponding figures for last year’s first sale were CTC 81.3 per cent and orthodox 86.07 per cent.
This week, the total offerings (packages) in three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 3,92,741 as compared to 3,95,316 in the corresponding sale (No. 1) of last year (2013). Of this the offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/Dust 1,26,890 (1,43,537), orthodox 24,688 (13,114) and Darjeeling 4,740 (2,842). The offerings at two other centres were: Guwahati 1,25,779 (1,27,020) and Siliguri 1,10,644 (1,08,804).
There was over all good demand this week. Liquoring teas were keenly competed for & sold at firm to dearer rates. Medium varieties fetched last week’s price levels. Dooars varieties were steady with cleaner grainy types selling at higher rates. Tata Global operated for liquoring sorts. Western India buyers were also active for these. HUL was selective. There were some export enquiries for bolder brokens and fannings.
Nominal weight of tippy teas on offer was readily absorbed at attractive rates. Remainder irregular, stalky varieties however declined. Few earlier invoices elicited competition & sold well. Shippers to CIS and West Asia were active. Other internal buyers operated for cheaper sorts.
A few selected well made Darjeeling whole leaf sorts sold well. Remainder moved in line with quality. Traditional exporters & Hindustan Unilever operated for the better varieties. Local dealers were active.