Sale Number 9 at the Kolkata tea auction this week saw the average price of the Orthodox variety jump sharply to Rs 193 from last week’s Rs 150.72 per kg, while CTC posted a modest increase to Rs 141.72 (Rs 135.71) per kg, according to J Thomas & Company Private Ltd, tea auctioneers.
Around 86.94 per cent (82.42 per cent) of the Orthodox variety and 95.58 per cent (86.85 per cent) of CTC volumes offered were sold.
No sales were reported at the Guwahati and Siliguri auctions during the week.
At Kolkata, there were 88,383 offerings (packages) as compared to 1,55,599 in the corresponding sale (sale 9) last year. The offerings comprised CTC/Dust 82,293 (1,43,882), Orthodox 5,691 (11,350) and Darjeeling 399 (367).
Selected Assams maintaining quality met with strong enquiry and appreciated. Teas showing a decline in quality eased in value. The plainer sorts met with increased enquiry and were generally firm to dearer. Selected good Dooars maintaining quality sold at around last levels while the remainder were easier.
Hindustan Unilever operated actively, while Tata Global was quiet. There were improved enquiries from Western India dealers on the liquoring sorts. Besides, there were fair inquiries from North India and local sections. Exporters operated on the bolder brokens.
A nominal quantity of well-made Orthodox offerings were readily absorbed at dearer rates. The remainder sold irregularly around last levels and tended lower. Stalky and poorly made varieties were at times discounted.
Continental enquiry was on the few tippy and better liquoring teas on offer. Exporters to the CIS and West Asia operated. The enquiries from local dealers were fair.
The nominal weight of Darjeeling whole leaf grades on offer tended lower. Brokens and fannings sold in line with quality. Hindustan Unilever and Tata Global were quiet. Local buyers were the mainstay.