Indian Express

Volumes At Record High At Kolkata Tea Sale

Posted online: Mon Nov 03 2003, 00:00 hrs
Kolkata, Nov 2: : The volume of CTC and Dust grade teas offered at the Kolkata sale number 43 was at a record high. It was the last auction where unrestricted volume of offering was allowed. From the very next sale no 44, quantity restriction on CTC and dust teas would come into effect.

The higher volume, however, had an impact on the prices of dusts teas with 35,970 packages on offer as against 10,230 in the last sale.

All teas offered at the dust section met with good demand and sold at steady to last levels with better sorts realising Rs 95-130 a kg and good and medium sorts selling at around Rs 70-90 a kg.

At the CTC sale, where the largest-ever volume of 1,12,547 packages were offered for the sale as against the last high of 97,500 packages, met with good demand. More than 75 per cent teas were consumed by the buyers at lower rates.

Medium Assams brokens sold at last levels while all remaining lines lowered. The best Assams prices dropped by Rs 5-10 per kg while Dooars prices declined by Rs 2 per kg.

The average price for Assams was at Rs 63 per kg while Dooars at around Rs 56 kg. There were fair export enquiries with worthwhile supports offered by all domestic sections and leading packateers. The Gujarat absorbed strong liquoring lines while Hind Lever remained selective.

About 8,933 packages of Darjeeling teas witnessed good demand, particularly the wholeleaf and fannings. Few well made improved wholeleaf sold at dearer rates of Rs 200-500 per kg while remaining wholeleaf sold at last levels of Rs 60-180 per kg and were absorbed by the UK and continental shippers. The fannings were generally consumed by the local buyers and Hind Lever at last levels.