This week at Sale No. 36, the total offerings (packages) at three North Indian tea auction centres and Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were lower at 388,969 compared to 425,706 in the corresponding sale of the last year, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd., the tea auctioneers.
The offerings at Kolkata auction comprised CTC/Dust 1,42,461 (1,48,661), Orthodox 30,518 (36,782) and Darjeeling 6,733 (6,689). The offerings at two other centres comprising mainly CTC/Dust were : Guwahati 1,09,453 (1,25,663) and Siliguri 99,804 (1,08,001).
Well made and liquoring Assam CTCs were around last levels, remainder sold at irregularly lower rates. Dooars sold around last levels and irregularly lower. Tata Global was active and there was selective support from Hindustan Unilever. Western India dealers supported the liquoring sorts. North India and local sections were selective. Exporters operated on the larger brokens and fannings.
Tippy and liquoring Orthodox varieties sold well readily in line with quality. Clean well made whole leaf sold irregularly lower, while bolder whole leaf appreciated. Brokens & Fannings were irregularly easier. There was good support from Continental buyers on tippy and liquoring varieties. West Asian and CIS shippers were active.
Darjeeling whole leaf continued to sell well with useful support emanating from Tata Global, Hindustan Unilever and traditional exporters. Brokens maintained levels while fannings tended dearer owing to improved export enquiry.