This week at Sale Number 40 at the Kolkata tea auction, the average price of CTC was marginally higher than that in the previous sale (No. 39), while the average price of the Orthodox variety remained virtually unchanged.

According to J Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers, the average price of CTC was higher at Rs 148.23 per kg (Rs 147.31 per kg), while the Orthodox variety was virtually flat at Rs 205.74 per kg (Rs 205.48 per kg).

An estimated 75.1 per cent (75.82 per cent) of the CTC variety and 80.96 per cent (88.02 per cent) of the Orthodox volumes offered were sold.

The total offerings (packages) at the three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 4,20,941 as compared to 4,54,114 in the corresponding sale (No. 40) last year. Of this, the offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/dust 1,19,884 (1,56,423), Orthodox 38,055 (35,626) and Darjeeling 10,759 (9,258). The offerings at the two other centres handling mainly CTC/Dust were: Guwahati 1,46,105(1,39,784) and Siliguri 1,06,138 (1,13,023).

Liquoring Assam CTC teas maintaining quality were firm to occasionally dearer, while the remaining Assams were irregularly lower. Dooars sold at irregularly lower levels. Tata Global was the mainstay. Hindustan Unilever was selective. Western India operated actively for the liquoring teas. There was a fair amount of enquiry from other internal and local sections. Export enquiries on fannings showed improvement.

Orthodox tippy teas sold well in line with quality. Clean well-made whole leaf and brokens were around last. The remainder was irregularly lower, particularly the stalkier whole leaf. Fannings were irregularly easier. CIS and West Asia shippers were active. There was some Continental interest on the tippy teas. Hindustan Unilever operated selectively.

Darjeeling offerings met with better enquiry. Selected whole leaf varieties maintaining quality were readily absorbed. The remainder eased in value and witnessed some withdrawals. Brokens and fannings also declined. There was fair export interest. Local dealers operated for cheaper sorts. Tata Global was selective, while there was better support from Hindustan Unilever.

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