This week at Sale Number 28 at Kolkata tea auction, the average prices of orthodox and CTC varieties were lower than last week ( Sale 27), according to J. Thomas & Company Private Ltd, the tea auctioneers. The price of orthodox was lower at Rs 253.82 (Rs 257.95) and CTC at Rs 153.60 (Rs 156.68) a kg. Last year at Sale 28, the prices of orthodox and CTC were Rs 229.07 and Rs 154.35 respectively.
This week, 88.24 per cent (94.09 per cent ) of orthodox and 65.75 per cent (69.70 per cent) CTC volumes were offered and sold.
This week, the total offerings (packages) at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 3,98,673 (3,64,110 in sale No. 28 last year).
The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/dust 1,27,510 (1,35,884); orthodox 35,465 (17,273) and Darjeeling 9,186 (5,833). The offerings at two other centres handling mainly CTC/dust were: Guwahati 1,32,699 (1,11,987) and Siliguri 93,813 ( 93,133).
Liquoring Assam CTC brokens continued to meet with strong enquiry while fannings were irregularly lower. Remaining Assams were barely steady to irregularly lower with plainer sorts, Cachars and reprints meeting with selective enquiry at easier rates. Better Dooars sold irregularly lower while the remainder eased in value. Tata Global operated selectively on the liquoring sorts; Hindustan Unilever operated on the mediums brokens and were more forceful on the dust grades; Western India operated actively for the on liquoring teas. There were good enquiries from other internal and local sections. The interest of the exporters was selective.
Orthodox
Limited weight of Darjeeling whole leaf varieties showing seasonal improvement in quality sold well. Reminder sold irregularly lower. Brokens and fannings met with useful enquiry and were readily absorbed at higher rates. Tata Global and Hindustan Unilever were selective. Traditional exporters operated for few improved teas.
Darjeeling
Limited weight of Darjeeling whole leaf varieties maintaining seasonal quality were readily absorbed. Liquoring brokens and fannings sold readily at dearer rates. Hindustan Unilever and Tata Global lent useful support. Traditional exporters operated keenly. Brokens & fannings witnessed export enquiry. santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in