Tea prices fall at Kolkata sale

Baren Bhattacharya in Kolkata

The Kolkata sale no 32 witnessed an overall slump in prices for CTCs and Dusts while Darjeeling Orthodox variety showed steady trend. Though the quantity of sales recorded at around 80 per cent, the realisation of prices was not at all encouraging for the sellers.

At the CTC sale, 32,265 packages were offered and about 85 per cent sold at lower levels. Few liquoring lines found ready buyers at lower levels by Rs 2-3 per kg and sold at Rs 82-92 a kg while medium sorts realised Rs 68-76 a kg with a fall of Rs 2. Fannings fell a tad by Re 1 a kg and settled at Rs 60-75 per kg. Prices of Dooars brokens declined by Rs 2 per kg at Rs 64-78 a kg while fannings prices eased by Rs 4 a kg and settled at Rs 58-68 a kg.

Bolder brokens varieties were absorbed by the exporters. Remaining CTCs consumed by the domestic markets with Gujarat buyers opting for liquoring lines.

Darjeeling teas with an offering of 7,377 packages met with good demand following the worthwhile support from the UK, Germany, Japan as well from Hind Lever. The high-price whole leaf teas tended slingtly easy with best of the lots realised Rs 1100 per kg as against Rs 1300 in the previous week. The whole leaf of good gardens continued to maintain firm trend at Rs 550-800 per kg while medium whole leaf sold at slightly lower at Rs 260-300 per kg. Brokens which absorbed by Hind Lever and local buyers fell marginally at Rs 150-200 per kg. Fannings showing steady note fetched Rs 120-150 per kg.

In a large offering of 22,062 packages of Orthodox teas, about 85 per cent was sold showing a better demand. Selected tippy lines conntinued to sell at dearer rates around Rs 150 a kg. Well made wholeleaf and larger brokens sold irregularly at last levels while smaller brokens and fannings ruled higher over their past levels. The good wholeleaf sold at Rs 110-140 per kg, good brokens at Rs 85-90 a kg while medium whole leaf fetched Rs 75-100 per kg as against Rs 70-95 a kg. The medium brokens were dearer by Rs 5 per kg at Rs 65-80 a kg.

Market opened to slightly lower demand for 15,699 packages of Dust teas offered at the sale with 75 per cent being sold. Good Assam Dusts sold readily at Rs 86-90 a kg while remaining good varieties maintained at past levels of Rs 76-85 per kg. The medium Assam and Dooars categories sold at further easier rates by Rs 2-4 per kg.
Gujarat buyers operated for liquoring Dusts, while Hind Lever and other packateers were selective on certain lines. Better PDs saw some export interests.