The Hindu Business Line : Good demand for CTC leaf, dust

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Kolkata Feb. 25 In all the three auction centres of North India, CTC leaf and dust teas continued to receive good demand. As the bulk of the offerings were of the end season varieties, prices followed quality.

There was a nominal weight of orthodox teas on offer, which sold well. There was a fair enquiry from shippers to the CIS countries. The North India market was active.

The Sri Lankan orthodox market in Colombo too saw further firming up of prices for all categories with substantial international demand. The total crop of Kenya, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh up to December 2006, taken together, was 31.1 million kg, lower than the corresponding period of the previous year. This is likely to have an impact on the international market.

Crop Prospects

Weather conditions in North India continue to be conducive to a healthy start to the cropping season. The first new season CTC invoices from Dooars and Terai have realised attractive prices ranging from Rs 160-200 per kg. Selected hard withered manufactured Orthodox tea from Terai sold up to Rs 475 per kg. From April 2006 to January 2007, the total auction average for all three North Indian centres cumulatively was Rs 72.24 per kg as compared to Rs 64.44 per kg in the previous season.