The Hindu Business Line : Strong demand for teas in Kolkata

Kolkata, Dec 23 Last week, CTC and dust markets at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri auction centres continued to meet with strong demand with prices appreciating, particularly for dusts, according to J Thomas & Company Private Ltd, the tea auctioneers. The major blenders operated strongly with good inquiries from the internal sections. The exporters operated for larger brokens.

Orthodox teas also saw good demand with smaller brokens and fannings appreciating. Whole leaf and larger brokens were fully firm. Good inquiries were forthcoming from major blenders, CIS and the Middle-East.

Darjeeling teas were well competed for at fully firm to dearer rates. The major blenders, traditional exporters and local dealers operated actively.

With the cold weather having set in, the crops in North India dwindled sharply and the cropping season is coming to an end.

Global trend

In Mombasa, Kenyan teas saw improved and strong general demand with almost all varieties appreciating significantly. The demands from the UK, Pakistan, Egypt, CIS and the Middle East were strong. Sri Lankan teas in Colombo met with good demand. High priced teas, however, recorded an easier trend, while the prices were dearer at the lower end. Inquiries were forthcoming from CIS, Iran and Saudi Arabia.