For the third consecutive week, the volume at the auctions of Coonoor Tea Trade Association has increased compared with the previous week. A volume of 17.68 lakh kg has been catalogued for Sale No: 41 to be held on Thursday and Friday. This is 1.89 lakh kg more than the offer made last week.

Of this, a volume of 11.98 lakh kg belongs to the leaf grades and 5.70 lakh kg belongs to dust grades. As much as 16.52 lakh kg belongs to CTC variety and only 1.16 lakh kg orthodox variety. The proportion of orthodox teas continues to be low in both the leaf and dust grades. In the leaf counter, only 52,000 kg belongs to orthodox while 11.46 lakh kg CTC. Among the dusts, only 64,000 kg belongs to orthodox while 5.06 lakh kg, CTC.

With substantial volumes remaining unsold in previous auctions, as much as 2.52 lakh kg of such teas are being re-offered this week.

Last week, some invoices of orthodox leaf were withdrawn. Better liquoring CTC leaf suffered less demand while better mediums could not be sold even after shedding ₹3-4 a kg. Following limited demand from exporters, many invoices of plainers remained unsold despite shedding ₹2-3 a kg. In the dust sale, orthodox teas tended easier and suffered withdrawal. High-priced CTC dusts eased towards the sale end. Some better mediums could not be sold despite shedding ₹1-2 a kg. Because of low export enquiry, plainers suffered withdrawal despite shedding up to ₹2 a kg.