For the first time in four weeks, the volume coming for the auctions of Coonoor Tea Trade Association has increased over the previous week. A volume of 14.38 lakh kg has been catalogued for Sale No: 39 to be held on Thursday and Friday.

This is as much as 1.86 lakh kg more than the offer of last week.

Of this, a volume of 9.69 lakh kg belongs to the leaf grades and 4.69 lakh kg belongs to the dust grades. As much as 13.18 lakh kg belongs to CTC variety and only 1.20 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 62,000 kg belongs to orthodox while 9.07 lakh kg, CTC. Among the dusts, only 58,000 kg belongs to orthodox while 4.11 lakh kg, CTC.

With substantial volumes remaining unsold in previous auctions, as much as 1.52 lakh kg of such teas are being re-offered this week.

In the Leaf auction last week, among corporate buyers, Hindustan Unilever Ltd bought brighter liquoring good medium varieties. Tata Global Beverages Ltd., was fairly active on good medium sorts. Godfrey Philips India Ltd showed some interest on medium brokens. Duncans Tea Ltd bought some good medium brokens. In the Dust auction, HUL, was fairly active on good medium smaller grades. Tata Global and Duncans did not operate. Godfrey Philips was selective on medium smaller grades. Indcoserve expressed interest for good medium smaller grades. There was good demand for brighter liquoring teas from upcountry buyers. Overall, internal buyers were less active. Exporters chose mostly plainer grades.

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