The average price of CTC at Sale Number 20 this week at Kolkata tea auction was higher at Rs 153.28 (Rs 150.58) a kg, while that of orthodox was lower at Rs 216.66 (Rs 226.93), according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers.

An estimated 71.57 per cent (67.22 per cent) of the CTC offerings and 93.42 per cent (92.01 per cent) of orthodox offerings were sold.

This week, total offerings (packages) at the three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 1,98,388, compared with 1,28,625 in the corresponding sale (No. 20) of last year.

The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/dust 61,363 (41,778); orthodox 20,948 (4,769) and Darjeeling 4,138 (3,615).

The offerings for two other centres mainly handling CTC/dust were Guwahati 76,779 (50,631) and Siliguri 29,160 (27,472).

Selected liquoring Assam CTC brokens maintaining quality sold well while the remaining Assams were easier. Bolder brokens saw better enquiry from the exporters and sold readily.

Cachars eased in value. Good Dooars tended lower while medium and plainer categories were around last levels.

Tata Global operated on the top liquoring broken grades. There was selective support from Hindustan Unilever. Western India operated actively.

There was good enquiry from other internal and local sections. There was improved export interest on the larger brokens and fannings.

Clean well made orthodox whole leaf was irregular around last.

Remaining whole leaf and larger broken grades were irregularly lower. Smaller brokens and fannings were firm to dearer.

The CIS and West Asia shippers operated. There was fair interest from local dealers on the liquoring fannings.

Darjeeling whole leaf grades were irregular and at times lower.

These met with enquiry from the traditional exporters.

santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in

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