All varieties of tea saw good demand at sale number 21 at the Calcutta auction. Of the CTC variety, offered in 32,294 packages to the tune of 11.18 lakh kg, few clean well made Assams were around last. Major blender and other packeteers gave fair support. Western India operated for liqouring sorts. The Darjeeling tea was offered in 3978 packages to the tune of 1.20 lakh kg. Few selected good whole leaf sold well.
The remainder came to an easier market following quality. Brokens and fannings recorded an easing in value. The continent and other traditional exporters operated for the whole leaf grades. Local dealers and UK exporters supported the brokens and fannings. Of 12,181 packages of the orthodox tea, well made, good liqouring and tippy whole leaf was fully firm to irregularly dearer.
Inferior teas recorded a decline, particularly the stalky sorts. Good liqouring as well as well made brokens sold around last. The remainder witnessed an easier trend, particularly smaller brokens. Fannings were generally easier, except few liqouring sorts which were firm.
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There was good enquiry from the Middle East and CIS also gave fair support. There was selective continental enquiry. Major blender was active for whole leaf grades. There was internal good support for fannings and selected whole leaf and smaller brokens.
Of the 3.23 lakh kg of dust, good liqouring Assams, particularly finer dusts were firm, with selected lines at times appreciating in value. Medium and plainer sorts were irregularly lower. Dooars saw similar trend. The good Assam CTC brokens sold between Rs 90-102 per kg, fannings between Rs 85-95 per kg, medium Assam brokens between Rs 78-86 per kg, fannings between Rs 74-80 per kg, the good Dooars between Rs 78-91 per kg and south India brokens between Rs 50-58 per kg and fannings between Rs 51-59 per kg. Of the orthodox variety, the good Assam whole leaf sold between Rs 105-140 per kg, brokens between Rs 80-95 per kg, fannings between Rs 66-70 per kg. The good Assam dust sold between Rs 88-98 per kg, medium Assam between Rs 74-82 per kg and good Dooars between Rs 80-85 per kg.
Meanwhile, a mixed trend prevailed in the tea auction at Coimbatore on Saturday with CTC leaf prices moving up by Rs 2 to Rs 3 and dust showing easier by Re 1, industry sources said. orthodox leaf prices maintained at last level.