Orthodox tea gained while CTC declined this week at sale number 7 at the Kolkata tea auction. The average price of Orthodox at Rs 149.36 was higher than last week’s (sale number 6) at Rs 144.25 a kg and that of CTC was lower at Rs 128.83 (Rs 130.65), according to auctioneers J. Thomas & Company Pvt. Ltd.

Volume sold was slightly higher for CTC at 82.98 per cent (82.52 per cent) and lower for Orthodox at 81.11 per cent (85.62 per cent).

This week at sale number 7, total offerings (packages) at the three North Indian auction centres in Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 2,19,296 compared with 2,64,527 in the corresponding sale last year. The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/Dust 1,32,684 (1,41,390), Orthodox 4,912 (17,421) and Darjeeling 4,053(1,219). The corresponding figures for the other auctions centres handling mainly CTC/Dust were, Guwahati 53,280 (63,578) and Siliguri 24,367 (40,919).

Selected Assams maintaining quality sold well, while the good and medium sorts eased in value following decline in quality. Plainer categories were irregular around last levels. Selected good Dooars maintaining quality sold at irregularly lower rates, while the remainder was down. Tata Global was selective while Hindustan Unilever operated actively. West India dealers operated on the few liquoring sorts on offer. There was fair enquiry from North India and local sections. Exporters were selective.

Nominal quantity of well-made Orthodox offerings were readily absorbed at dearer rates. Remainder sold irregularly around last levels and tended lower. Stalky and poorly made varieties at times witnessed withdrawals. Selected Continental enquiry was seen for the few tippy and liquoring varieties on offer. Exporters to CIS and West Asia operated.

Hindustan Unilever operated on the fannings. Limited weight of Darjeeling whole-leaf grades on offer tended lower. Brokens and fannings sold in line with quality, with selected better sorts appreciating. Hindustan Unilever selective, Tata Global quiet. Local buyers were the mainstay.

santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in