This week at Sale 25 at Kolkata tea auction, the average prices of both Orthodox and CTC were higher than those of last week (Sale 24), according to J Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers. The average Orthodox price was  Rs 239.32 a kg (Rs 218.99 a kg) and the average CTC price was Rs 146.98 a kg (142.37 a kg). An estimated  93.03 per cent (94.28 per cent) of Orthodox and 61.85 per cent (62.42 per cent) of CTC volumes offered were sold.

This week the total offerings (packages) at three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 2,87,013  as compared to 2,45,971 in the corresponding sale (No 25) of last year. The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/Dust 98, 251 (84,799), Orthodox 26,720 (12,448) and Darjeeling 6,024 (7,165). The offerings at two other centres, mainly CTC/Dust, were: Guwahati 74,666 (79,773) and Siliguri 81,352 (61,786).

Improved Assam CTC teas sold well at dearer rates with liquoring categories selling at attractive rates. Remaining Assams were easier, with reprints meeting with selective enquiry at lower rates. Dooars sold irregularly lower. Tata Global operated on the liquoring sorts. Hindustan Unilever operated selectively on the mediums. Western India operated actively for the liquoring teas. There were good enquiries from other internal and local sections. Exporters operated on the larger brokens.

Orthodox tippy whole leaf grades were readily absorbed at attractive levels but tippy brokens saw fewer enquiries at easier rates. Remaining whole leaf, broken and fanning grades were firm to dearer. CIS and West Asia shippers operated actively. North India buyers were active for the bolder whole leaf grades. There was fair interest from local dealers on the liquoring fannings and secondaries.

The small weight of Darjeeling teas showing seasonal improvement in quality were keenly competed for and sold well. Remainder met with useful enquiry and were readily absorbed. Tata Global lent useful support. Traditional exporters were active. Local dealers operated for brokens and fannings.

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