The Hindu Business Line : Good demand for orthodox tea in N. India auctions

Last week, the CTC markets for North India followed quality, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers. The Assams showing seasonal improvement were firm around last with selected lines dearer. Remaining Assams were irregularly lower. Dooars tended lower with plainer sorts neglected. There was a good support from Tata Tea and Western India buyers and fair enquiry from other internal and local dealers. Exporters operated on larger brokens and fannings.

Orthodox whole leaf

Orthodox whole leaf met with good demand and sold around last levels. Improved brokens met with competition following quality while lighter and stalkier brokens were irregular. Tippier fannings appreciated. There were selective inquiries from the Continent on tippier varieties. The CIS and West Asian exporters operated. The support from local dealers was good.

Darjeeling teas

Improved Darjeeling teas on offer met with better demand and appreciated with quality, with selected best lines realising attractive prices. These were primarily absorbed by the traditional exporters to Germany, Japan and the UK. Tata Tea operated for plainer whole leaf with local buyers primarily supporting the brokens and fannings

CROP

The May crop for North India was 50.3 mkg, which was 3.5 mkg higher than last year. The all India May crop at 71.4 mkg was ahead by 1.1 mkg. The year to date crop in North India now stands at 130.6 mkg.