CTC, Dust Tea Sees Good Demand At N. Indian Auctions

Kolkata: Last week's CTC and dust markets in all three north Indian sale centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri saw strong demand with teas getting readily absorbed at firm to occasionally dearer rates. The major blenders were active, with good western India inquiry for better teas. Other domestic markets also provided good support. Darjeeling teas witnessed good demand at fully firm rates. Sri Lankan teas in Colombo remained to appreciate in value with the Russian buyers stepping up interest. The August crop increased by 2.4 million kgs to a total of 24.2 million kgs. The crop till date is still well behind the crop in the corresponding period of the last year by 7.6 per cent or 16.02 million kgs. Strong inquiry was received from Russia, Kazakhstan and Pakistan, while UK and Sudan were active.