Medium Assams brokens and fannings were sold at irregular rates in line with quality and were ruling between Rs 72 and Rs 84 per kg. The prices marked up for better Dooars brokens while remaining were maintaining the past levels between Rs 76 and Rs 86 a kg. Good Cachar teas went up by Rs 2 per kg and ranged between Rs 60 and Rs 70 per kg.

Hind Lever lent improved buying support while other packeteers operated selectively with good activity by the Western Indian buyers. There were good enquiry for smaller brokens and fannings from the UK and continental shippers withselective buing by CIS shippers.

There was good demand for all categories of Darjeeling teas with prices showing mixed trends. Good liquoring whole leaf and same category fannings and brokens attracted the UK and continental shippers. Few improved fannings also were absorbed at steady rates by the UK shippers. Prices of medium brokens went up by Rs 10 a kg while fannings maintained last week's levels and fine fannings eased by Rs 30 per kg. These categories were lifted by West Bengal traders with some export enquiry.

The better whole leaf were quoted between Rs 250 and Rs 450 a kg while medium grades between Rs 150 and Rs 250 per kg. The brokens fetched prices between Rs 140 and Rs 190 per kg and those of fannings quoted between Rs 130 and Rs 170 per kg with fine fannings betwen Rs 100 and Rs 130 per kg.

The offtake of orthodox teas marginally declined by 5 per cent over the past sale and it stood at 90 per cent in a total offering of 6,342 packages. Prices of tippy and whole leaf varieties as well asclean and well made brokens were sold at fully steady to dearer rates, while stalky teas and brokens maintained last levels.

The fannings also were absorbed at higher rates. Whole leaf were quoted between Rs 100 and Rs 130 a kg while brokens' prices hovered between Rs 95 and Rs 115 a kg. The fannings were higher by Rs 2 to Rs 5 a kg and ruled between Rs 90 and Rs 97 a kg.

Shippers from West Asia, CIS and Continent were well active in the sale with West Bengal traders rendering useful buying supports.

Market opened to better demand for 17,315 chests of dust teas of which 95 per cent were sold. Bright liquoring Assams were sold at firm to dearer rates by Rs 4 a kg, while medium dusts fetched higher prices by Rs 2 a kg with firm tendency for secondaries. The prices of Assam dusts ranged between Rs 90 and Rs 102 a kg while Dooars realised higher prices by Rs 2 per kg and quoted between Rs 74 and Rs 64 per kg.

Hind Lever and other packeteers bought heavy quantity dust teas with better support from WesternIndian buyers. Exporters including the UK shippers consumed liquoring PDs and larger dusts.

Guwahati sale

Prices saw divergent trends at the Guwahati sale no 35 with offtake showing a narrow fall in CTC teas.

There were 1,18,704 packages of CTC teas on offer of which 85 per cent were consumed showing a weaker market trend. All good Assams and cleaner teas ruled steady in prices while browner and fibrous witnessed a marginal fall. Better medium Assams and Cachar also were sold at dearer rates following competitions with plainer CTCs irregular in line with quality.

Hind Lever and Tata Tea lifted a fair share of CTCs while Duncans after re-entering the market also fared well. Other domestic buyers including Western Indian dealers lent good support in the sale. The CIS and Poland opted for selected CTCs.

There was good demand for 43,742 packages of dusts teas on offer with 90 per cent teas being consumed. The better liquoring dusts were sold well at firm to dearer rates while cleaner and improveddusts tended higher after meeting competitions. The other teas including fibrous and secondaries were sold at around last levels.