The Hindu Business Line : Strong demand for CTCs at Kolkata sale

Kolkata, Dec. 16 Last week, the CTC demand in the North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Siliguri and Guwahati were strong with prices of black clean and grainy varieties appreciating particularly in the plain and medium segments, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers.

The dust market was very strong and the levels were irregularly dearer particularly for tea and liquoring secondaries.

Major blenders and packeteers operated actively with good inquiry from western Indian and internal markets.

Orthodox whole leaf and larger brokens were steady with small brokens and fannings selling around last levels.

There was good inquiry from the buyers from the CIS countries and West Asia.

Darjeeling offerings met with good demand.

Whole leaf and brokens witnessed firm to dearer rates primarily brighter and improved liquoring teas.

Fannings were irregular around last. Major blenders and local dealers operated actively with selective export inquiry.

CROP

All India figures till October stood at 802.5 million kg, lower by 20 mkg compared to the same period of the previous year.

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Mombasa continued to attract strong demand and prices appreciated following sustained interest particularly from Pakistan and Egypt.

Sri Lankan teas in Colombo also saw steady markets with good inquiry from the traditional exporters.