Amidst widespread concerns of substantial volumes remaining unsold in the recent weeks, as much as 4.59 lakh kg of teas that had remained unsold in previous auctions is being offered for resale at Sale No.17 of the Coonoor Tea Trade Association auctions to be conducted on Thursday and Friday, reveals an analysis of the listing by brokers.

This is the highest volume of unsold teas getting re-catalogued so far this year. In the past three weeks, 39-48 per cent of the offer had remained unsold.

Together with the fresh teas accounting for 9.55 lakh kg, the total offer this week is 14.14 lakh kg – some 40,000 kg more than last week's offer but as much as 2.57 lakh kg lower than the offer this time last year.

Of the 14.14 lakh kg on offer, 10.11 lakh kg belongs to the leaf grades and 4.03 lakh kg belongs to the dust grades. As much as 13.37 lakh kg belongs to CTC variety and only 0.77 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 0.48 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 9.63 lakh kg, CTC. Among the dusts, only 0.29 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 3.74 lakh kg, CTC.

Worried producers have conducted meetings among themselves as also with brokers and Tea Board officials to increase sale percentage, which is being pulled down due to lack of promotion.

Substantial volumes are being withdrawn despite shedding prices week after week, producers have told Tea Board.

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