Average prices of the orthodox variety teas jumped, while that of CTC variety recorded a marginal drop at the Kolkata tea auctions this week.

Orthodox tea prices surged to Rs 207.15 over last week’s Rs 182.52 a kg, while that of CTC dropped to Rs 154.08 (Rs 154.56), according to J Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers.

An estimated 76.30 per cent (64.92 per cent) of Orthodox and 68.98 per cent (68.85 per cent) of CTC offerings were sold.

The total offerings (packages) this week at three North Indian tea auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 1,37,742 compared with 92,649 in the corresponding sale (Sale 17) of last year.

This week the offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/Dust 42,970 (20,453), Orthodox 5,689 (5,624) and Darjeeling 3,054 (333). The figures for two other centres, handling mainly CTC/Dust, were: Guwahati 30,493 (24,858) and Siliguri 55,536 (41,381).

Selected top liquoring Assam CTC teas sold well while the remainder were irregularly easier. Good Dooars medium brokens met with export enquiry while the remainder eased in value. Tata Global operated only on the top liquoring dust grades.

There was selective support from Hindustan Unilever. Western India operated actively. There were good enquiries from other internal and local sections.

Orthodox whole leaf and larger broken grades were firm while the remainder was irregularly lower.

Continental exporters operated on the few tippy teas on offer. CIS and West Asian shippers operated actively. There was fair interest from local dealers.

Well-made Darjeeling first flush teas witnessed enquiries from traditional exporters. Similar brokens and fannings also moved well owing to export enquiries.

>santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in

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Published on April 26, 2013