The average price of orthodox leaf at Rs 245.71 a kg this week at Sale No. 33 at the auction centre here was higher than last week’s (Sale No. 32) Rs 238.43 and much higher than Rs 164.74 in the corresponding sale (No. 33) of last year, according to auctioneers J. Thomas & Company Pvt. Ltd.
The J. Thomas list commanded the higher average price of Rs 267.56 a kg, followed by Parcon, Rs 228.64, Contemporary, Rs 215.27, Associated Brokers, Rs 195.02, Assam Tea Brokers, Rs 140.22 and Paramount, Rs 93.97.
However, the average price of CTC leaf was Rs 148.96 a kg compared with Rs 150.26 at last week’s sale (No. 32) and Rs 127.32 at the corresponding sale (No. 33) of the last year. The Assam Tea Brokers’ list attracted the highest average price of Rs 167.71 a kg, followed by J. Thomas & Company, Rs 158.84, Contemporary, Rs 152.93, Parcon, Rs 140.38, Paramount, Rs 130.72, S. Chatterjee, Rs 129.38, and Associated Brokers, Rs 128.84.
This week at Sale No. 33, the total offerings (packages) at the three North Indian tea auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 3,11,801 as against 4,21,665 in the corresponding sale of last year.
The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/dust 97,718 (1,60,994), orthodox 23,522 (41,209) and Darjeeling 7008 (5961). The corresponding figures for two other centres handling mainly CTC/dust were as follows: Guwahati 97,413 (1,25,748) and Siliguri 86,410 (87,753).
Assam CTCs were barely steady and tended easier. Dooars sold at barely steady and irregularly easier levels. Tata Global was active and there was fair support from Hindustan Unilever. Western India dealers supported the liquoring sorts. North India and local sections were selective. There was good support from the exporters on the larger brokens and fannings.
Orthodox varieties were irregularly lower following quality. There was some continental interest for tippy and liquoring varieties. West Asia and CIS shippers were active.
Darjeeling whole-leaf grades maintained levels. Brokens were firm while fannings sold at dearer rates. Tata Global and Hindustan Unilever were the mainstay. There was useful export enquiry on the fannings.