Firm Trend Persists In North India Tea Auctions

Kolkata: Last week, the CTC leaf markets at Kolkata and Siliguri, with the exception of those showing a decline in quality, continued to be firm with selected teas appreciating in value, according to J. Thomas & Company Private Ltd, the tea auctioneers.

The Guwahati market, however, was barely steady to irregularly lower, particularly for teas showing a drop in quality. Dust teas, however, met with strong demand at firm to dearer levels. The major blenders and packeteers operated actively with good support from western Indian and other internal sections.

Orthodox teas ruled easy following quality and the smaller brokens and fannings were irregular, while the prices for whole leaf grades and larger brokens declined. The exporters to the CIS and West Asian countries operated at lower levels.

The Darjeeling market remained barely steady around last levels with some medium and plainer brokens tending easier following a drop in demand from the traditional exporters. The major blender and local buyers operated actively. Crop levels picked up with most districts in Assam recording satisfactory returns.