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The slide in tea prices at the Kolkata tea auction continues. At Sale 31 this week, the average CTC price at Rs 143.75 per kg was lower than last week’s (Sale 30) Rs 147.04 per kg. The average Orthodox price too was lower at Rs 221.38 (Rs 225.14) a kg, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, tea auctioneers. An estimated 34.45 per cent of (36.86 per cent) the CTC and 12.80 per cent (14.59 per cent) of the Orthodox volumes offered remained unsold.
This week at Sale 31, the total offerings (packages) at the three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 4,33,942 as compared to 4,05,845 in the corresponding sale (No 31) last year. The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/Dust 1,40,602 (1,63,992), Orthodox 45,719 (26,005) and Darjeeling 10,625 (6,370). The figures for the two other centres mainly handling CTC/Dust were Guwahati 1,40,944 (1,19,937) and Siliguri 96,052 (89,541).
Liquoring Assam CTC teas sold at irregularly lower rates while the remainder was lower following quality. Dooars sold at irregularly lower rates. There was improved interest from Tata Global. Hindustan Unilever operated selectively for the mediums. Western India operated actively for the liquoring teas. There were good enquiries from other internal and local sections. The interest from the exporters was fair.
Orthodox tippy whole leaf grades were readily absorbed at useful levels while tippy brokens saw less demand at easier rates. The remainder tended lower in line with quality except fannings which were irregular around last and occasionally lower. There was some Continental interest on the tippy sorts. West Asia and CIS exporters were active. Hindustan Unilever operated selectively on the bolder whole leaf grades.
Darjeeling whole leaf grades met with better demand except for the plainer varieties which eased in value. Brokens generally tended lower. Liquoring fannings saw good demand and sold at firm to dearer rates, while the remainder eased in value. Tata Global and Hindustan Unilever lent useful support. Traditional exporters operated in the market that saw good local and export enquiry for fannings.
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