This week, the total offerings (packages) at Sale 4 in three North Indian tea auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 391,836 as against 429,943 in the corresponding sale last year, according to tea auctioneers, J. Thomas & Company Private Ltd.

Of this, the share of Kolkata auction was 174,821 (169,012) comprising 155,137 (141,812) of CTC/Dust, 17,173 (24,460) of Orthodox and 2,511 (1,740) of Darjeeling. The offerings at Guwahati were 128,256 (168,620) and at Siliguri, 88,759 (93,311).

Firm trend

Selected, clean, well-made and liquoring Assam CTC brokens were firm around last auction levels, with better fannings dearer at times. The remainder were irregularly easier in line with quality. Few better Dooars, too, were around last auction levels while the remainder were irregularly lower. Dusts were irregularly lower.

There was good support from Tata Global and Hindustan Unilever. Western India operated actively on better liquoring teas. There were some export enquiries on bolder brokens and grainier fannings. Local dealers operated on cleaner, grainier varieties.

Selected, clean and well-made earlier Orthodox invoices were readily absorbed around last levels while the remainder were irregularly lower, particularly the stalky varieties. The West Asia and CIS shippers were the mainstay of the market. There was good enquiry for fannings from Hindustan Unilever. North India operated on the bolder whole leaf.

Darjeeling offerings met with good enquiry and sold at irregular rates. There was selective export enquiry on a few lines. Local buyers operated actively for brokens and fannings.

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