In the CTC section of the sale, trading opened to a good demand with 90 per cent teas being consumed out of an offering of 35,881 chests. Prices of Dooars brokens and fannings shot up by Rs 2-3 a kg with levels ranging between Rs 92-110 per kg.

All well made good quality Assams were dearer by about Rs 2-5 a kg, the poorer quality teas eased by Rs 2 a kg. Good Assams including brokens and fannings were sold between Rs 102-125 a kg. Medium Assams and plainer brokens remained steady at Rs 85-95 a per kg while fannings eased by Rs 2 a kg to Rs 78-90 a kg.

Western Indian markets along with other internal dealers absorbed a large share of CTCs with Godfrey Phillips and Tata Tea operating on selective grades. There was no export enquiry for CTC teas.

There was better generaldemand at comparatively lower levels for 4431 chests of Darjeeling teas offered in the sale. Some better quality first flush teas were absorbed by the continental and the UK buyers at medium rates. A few well made fannings found ready buyers, the UK shippers in particular. Other teas were consumed by the internal sections with West Bengal buyers remaining more active.

The whole leaf teas were quoted between Rs 200-600 per kg compared to Rs 350-550 per kg while brokens ruled between Rs 140 and Rs 200. Fannings were absorbed between Rs 120-140 a kg against past levels of Rs 145-170 a kg. The highest price was obtained by a line of SFTFOP-1 (clonal) of Singbulli Tea Estate at Rs 820 per Kg.

There was good demand for 2,883 packages of orthodox teas offered this week with 90 per cent teas being sold. Tippy liquoring teas sold at higher levels and well made clean teas in whole leaf and brokens categories sold higher. Stalky teas, however, sold at a discount while fannings continued to sell well at around lastlevels. The whole leaf ranged between Rs 140-175 per kg, while brokens and fannings ruled between Rs 100-150 per kg.

Middle East buyers absorbed fair quantity of orthodox teas with good buying support from continental shippers for brighter sorts. Offtake of CIS shippers was also fair. Local traders operated for cheaper rated teas.

The market opened to an improved demand for 10,656 packages of dust teas and around 90 per cent was sold. Better Dooars realised higher prices compared to the past sale. Better quality seasonal Assam dusts ruled dearer while the rest sold at firm to easier rates. Assams dusts ruled between Rs 100-130 a kg and Dooars between Rs 90-105 a kg.

Western Indian buyers lifted a major quantity of liquoring dusts with useful support from domestic sections. HLL was an active purchaser while Tata Tea operated selectively.

Guwahati sale

The Guwahati sale saw an improved demand for all teas offered so far with seasonal first flush teas registering some gains in prices.

The offering atthe CTC sale was 70,686 packages of which 95 per cent was sold. Seasonal better teas ruled firm to dearer and met with good competition. Clean and grainy well sized brokens sold at firm levels while small brokens and fannings eased by Rs 2-3 per kg. Cachar CTCs also stood firm except reprocessed teas.

HLL and Tata Tea were major takers in this section. Western Indian buyers lifted liquoring teas. Among the shippers, CIS and Poland operated on selective categories.

In the dusts section, offering was limited to 26,057 chests and of this 85 per cent was consumed at firm to lower levels. Barring a few seasonal improved teas which ruled firm, prices all dusts lowered by Rs 2-4 per kg. Selected liquoring secondaries were also steady and the remainder including Cachar dusts eased in prices up to Rs 5 per kg.

HLL, Tata Tea and Western Indian buyers were active for slightly lower rated teas with fair buying support from domestic buyers.