There was good demand for a comparatively lower arrival of CTC teas of 41,556 packages at Kolkata sale No 4 and in this, around 85 per cent was consumed by the markets. Few lines of good Assam brokens and Pekoe fannings sold at steady to dearer rates with brokens quoting at Rs 95 to Rs 110 per kg and fannings at Rs 85 to Rs 92 per kg respectively. Medium lines in Assam categories sold at around last levels at Rs 76 to Rs 94 a kg. Dooars CTCs showed mixed trends with brokens slightly easy by Rs 2 a kg at Rs 82 to Rs 90 a kg, while best fannings sold higher by Re 1 a kg. All lines quoted at Rs 81 to Rs 86 per kg. Cachar teas eased slightly at Rs 65 to Rs 80 per kg.

Good brokens were absorbed by the CIS shippers while all major internal buyers including Hind Lever, Duncans and Gujarat buyers were more or less active in their offtake.

Darjeeling teas with an offering of 4,149 packages met with good demand but prices were easier. The good wholeleaf and brokens saw some export enquiry from the continent and these sorts hovered around their last levels. Good wholeleaf was quoted at Rs 190 to Rs 220 a kg with best sorts moving up further at Rs 250 to Rs 280 a kg. All other wholeleaf was lower at Rs 160 to Rs 180 a kg. Good brokens saw better enquiry from Hind Lever and shippers and quoted at Rs 150 to Rs 130 a kg. All other lines were selling at Rs 100 to Rs 120 a kg. Better varieties were steady at Rs 135 a kg, while other lines were consumed mostly by the local buyers at Rs 100 to Rs 130 a kg.

There was overall slide in prices by Rs 5 a kg for Orthodox teas from the last levels despite good orders. In a bigger offering of 23,773 packages, more than 85 per cent was consumed. However, prices of some selected tippy teas maintained at last levels and good wholeleaf was quoted at Rs 110-145 a kg.