Monday, February 18, 2008

CTC Leaf, Dust Teas See Good Demand At N. India Auction

Kolkata: Last week, there was good demand for CTC leaf and dust teas in North Indian tea auction centres, according to J Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers. Cleaner leaf teas were often dearer while the remainder were irregular and the browner sorts declined in value. Run-up to Budget 2008-09

The major blender was active for the better sorts while the other major packeteer was selective. Internal and local buyers operated.

Cheaper leaf

Selected clean and good leafier orthodox varieties were irregular while the remainder eased in value. North India operated for the cheaper whole leaf with some support from the major blender. Export inquiry was subdued.

The limited quantity of Darjeeling whole leaf grades on offer sold at firm to dearer rates while the remainder tended easier with poor leaf sorts neglected. Local dealers were the mainstay of the market.

Total Crop

According to the Tea Board, in 2007, the total crop stood at 944.7 million kg (mkg), a decline of 11.2 mkg vis-À-vis 2006. The North Indian production at 724.7 mkg was behind 4.9 mkg as compared to the previous year.

International

Colombo auctions tended irregular with better whole leaf grades (known as OP/OPAs) and leafy broken grades tending lower while the others were largely firm to dearer. The Gulf and Turkish exporters were active with some support from CIS/Iran shippers.

The Mombasa auctions opened strongly at firm to dearer rates but, as the sale progressed, the demand eased. Exporters to Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, Russia, the UK and West Asia were active.

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