A volume of 8.90 lakh kg will be offered for Sale No. 20 of the auctions of Coonoor Tea Trade Association to be held on Thursday and Friday, reveals an analysis of listing by brokers.

It is the second lowest volume offered so far this year after 8.81 lakh kg offered on April 19. It is about 28,000 kg less than last week's offer and as much as 7.20 lakh kg less than the offer this time last year.

Of the 8.90 lakh kg on offer, 6.14 lakh kg belongs to the leaf grades and 2.76 lakh kg belongs to the dust grades. As much as 8.26 lakh kg belongs to CTC variety and only 0.64 lakh kg, orthodox variety.

The proportion of orthodox teas continues to be low in both the leaf and dust grades. In the leaf counter, only 0.29 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 5.85 lakh kg, CTC. Among the dusts, only 0.35 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 2.41 lakh kg, CTC.

In the 8.90 lakh kg, fresh teas account for 8.32 lakh kg. About 58,000 kg comprise of teas which had remained unsold in previous auctions. Last week, in the leaf auction, HUL and Godfrey Philips India Ltd were selective.

Tata Global Beverages chose good medium varieties, while Duncans Tea Ltd showed interest on brokens. In the dust auctions, HUL was selective while Godfrey Philips, Tata Global and Duncans did not operate.