Kolkata tea sale gets good demand for all categories

Baren Bhattacharya in Kolkata

The second flush Darjeeling teas on offer at the Kolkata sale no 31 continued to fetch premiums. There was good demand for the entire offering. In fact, CTCs, Orthodox and Dusts also recorded fair general demand at lower rates, excepting best varieties.

There were 8,113 packages of Darjeeling teas on offer which met with good demand on improved interests shown by the exporters for the well made lines. The better wholeleaf teas were selling between Rs 750 and Rs 1,160 per kg while two other lines sold at further higher levels between Rs 1,230 and Rs 1,300 per kg. The good whole leaf teas were selling at Rs 350-650 per kg, showing negligible increase. All other lines in whole leaf were firm at past levels. Brokens and fannings ruled almost at past levels excepting few common lines which sold at much lower rates.

Japan and European buyers absorbed better and good whole leaf while remaining good and medium lines consumed by Hind Lever. Local buyers operated for common brokens and fannings. In an offering of 32,999 packages of CTC teas around 85 per cent was consumed by the markets at generally lower rates. Few bright liquoring Assam and Dooars CTCs sold at higher rate by Rs 2-4 per kg while remaining teas eased in prices. All Assam brokens sold at Rs 70-96 a kg and All Assam Fannings sold at Rs 65-80 per kg. Dooars showing similar trend were selling at Rs 66-76 a kg for brokens and Rs 62-72 per kg for fannings.

Gujarat and local dealers were active buyers with fair support from Hind Lever. CIS opted for bolder brokens.

Market opened to fair demand for 18,659 packages of Orthodox teas with 75 per cent sold. All tippy and good wholeleaf varieties were sold at past levels while medium wholeleaf rates declined by Rs 5 per kg at Rs 70-95. Brokens and fannings prices dropped by Rs 3-5 per kg from the past levels.