In the CTC sale, 34,616 chests were offered which reflected a good demand with 90 per cent of teas were sold. All lines maintained their earlier levels. While Good Assam teas were quoted between Rs 94 and Rs 112 per kg, the medium Assam was stagnant at Rs 52 and Rs 62 a kg. Dooars and Cachar varieties also maintained their lower and upper levels between Rs 57 and Rs 67 per kg.

Hindustan Lever Ltd lifted some selected grade teas while Gujarat and Maharashtra traders absorbed large quantity of liquoring teas. Other domestic buyers also were fairly active. CIS shippers also took good amount of CTC at the level of Rs 70 per kg.

Darjeeling sale witnessed good demand with about 95 per cent of the offering amounting to 6603 packages were sold. Better whole leaf teas were sold at firm to dearer rates while wholeleaf in general maintained earlier levels. The major portion of this category was absorbed by CIS and continental shippers. In the brokens lines, some selected sorts ruled steady by Rs 2 to Rs 3 per kg and consumed by UK shippers and HLL. The remaining brokens and fannings which were sold at past levels, consumed by West Bengal buyers along with better support from A Tosh and HLL.

Better demand also registered in the orthodox sale wherein 22,899 chests were put up for sale and more than 95 per cent teas were sold. Few tippy and liquoring lines were sold at previous levels while the other remaining teas in this variety suffered loss. Whole leaf teas were quoted between Rs 80 and Rs 125 showing a loss by Rs 5 per kg both on upper and lower levels. Some well made brokens maintained the past levels while other brokens were down by Rs 5 per kg. Fannings also dwindled by Rs 2 per kg to Rs 68 and Rs 73 per kg but were readily absorbed. Stalkier brokens and whole leaf found no buyers.

CIS operated with improved strength and lifted good quantity of orthodox teas. HLL, on the other hand, was selective. West Asian shippers and also Persian Gulf counties were hectic in their operations. In the domestic section, North Indian markets were active.

Dusts sale with an offering of 18,347 packages showed a fair general demand. About 20 per cent of the dust offering were left unsold. Some brighter liquoring and cleaner Assam dusts were sold at attractive rates. The non-liquoring dusts suffered a further fall and were left unsold. Secondaries met with similar trend. Overall Assam dusts were sold between Rs 90 and Rs 115 per kg with upper level losing by Rs 5 a kg. Dooars were sold at last levels between Rs 62 and Rs 82 per kg. The plainer teas eased and at time suffered withdrawals.

Western Indian markets remained active on liquoring lines while HLL and Tata Tea offered good buying support.