This week at the year’s second sale (Sale No. 2) at Kolkata tea auction, the average price of orthodox was at Rs 170.62 a kg, marginally up over last week’s Rs 167.01, according to J Thomas and Company Pvt Ltd., the tea auctioneers. However, during the same period the average price of CTC at Rs 141.73 was lower than last week’s Rs 144.4. An estimated 87.81 per cent (89.46 per cent) of orthodox and 79.6 per cent (87.23 per cent) of CTC offerings were sold.

This week the total offerings (packages) in three North India tea auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 3,93,167 (4,32,772). The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/Dust 1,44,647 (1,55,678) Orthodox 13,472 (24,368) and Darjeeling 3370 (3676). The offerings at two other centres were: Guwahati 1,25,700 (1,38,918) and Siliguri 1,05,978 (1,10,132).

Assam CTC teas were irregularly lower following the decline in quality. Better Dooars were barely steady and irregularly lower. Tata Global was fairly active while Hindustan Unilever was selective. Western India dealers were active on the liquoring sorts. There was good enquiry from North India and local sections. Exporters operated mainly on the bolder brokens.

Orthodox offerings met with strong demand at fully firm to dearer rates. There were some Continental enquiries on tippy and liquoring varieties. Exporters to CIS and West Asia operated actively. Hindustan Unilever was active on the fannings.

Darjeeling whole leaf grades sold in line with quality with fair support from Hindustan Unilever.

santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in

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