Good Demand Witnessed At Calcutta Tea Auctions

All varieties of tea at the Calcutta auction held last week witnessed a good demand though prices eased slightly in orthodox categories. The total offering this week stood at 83,322 packages against 74,906 packages in the corresponding sale the previous year.

The CTC categories, with a total offering of 34,537 packages, met with good demand. Best Assams were irregularly dearer due to selective CIS enquiries while the rest were dearer by Rs two to Rs four, particularly fannings due to active support from major blender.

Improved whole leaf grades in the Darjeeling section, where total offering stood at 5,123 packages, witnessed good demand while medium varieties were firm on last levels.

They also met with good support from traditional exporters and major blender. Brokens and fannings came to a dearer market following keen competition from local dealers with selective export buying, market sources said.

The orthodox section, with a total offering of 26,599 packages, met with good demand although prices in whole leaf categories came down sharply.

Brokens were irregular around last levels whereas fannings remained firm due to good support from CIS and the Middle East.

The dust categories this week, with a total offering of 17,063 packages, witnessed better general demand.

Major blenders remained extremely active in this section thereby pushing up the prices of best and medium ssams. Exporters also offered selective support.