Last week at Sale No. 9, the total offerings (packages) at three North Indian tea auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 1,96,518 as compared with 1,80,995 in the corresponding sale of the previous year, according to J Thomas & company Private Limited, the tea auctioneers.
The offerings at Kolkata during the week were 1,55,599 (1,34,027) comprising CTC/Dust 1,43,882 (1,24,226), Orthodox 11,350 (8,920) and Darjeeling 367 (831)
No sale was reported in Guwahati, the same as the corresponding sale of last year, while the figures for Siliguri (Sale 7) were 40,919 (46,968).
Few Assam CTC teas maintaining quality sold at around last levels. The remainder were lower following decline in quality, particularly browner sorts. Well-made Dooars sold around last levels while the remainder tended easier following declining quality. There was selective support from Hindustan Unilever and Tata Global. Western India dealers were active for the liquoring sorts. There was fair enquiry from North India and local sections. Exporters were quiet.
Orthodox varieties eased in value with stalkier sorts seeing withdrawals. North India buyers operated on the bolder whole leaf. Hindustan Unilever operated selectively. There was fair interest from local dealers.
Nominal weight of Darjeeling teas on offer sold in line with quality and were supported mainly by the local dealers.