The Hindu Business Line : Improved demand for cheaper teas at Kolkata sale

Kolkata, Oct. 9 This week, good liquoring CTC teas in North India sold around last levels while the mediums were firm around last and at times dearer, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers. Cheaper varieties saw improved demand at dearer rates. Major blenders operated actively. Other packeteers were selective. Western India buyers operated for the liquoring sorts with selective enquiries from other internal and local dealers. Exporters operated on larger brokens and well made fannings.

Cleaner orthodox whole leaf and broken grades were fully firm to dearer. Larger whole leaf and stalky varieties were irregular around last. Better fannings were firm to dearer while the remainder were at last levels. Strong enquiry came from CIS. West Asia and Hindustan Unilever operated.

The local dealers provided some support.

Darjeeling offerings met with good demand at last levels with selected lines appreciating following quality. Useful enquiries were from Hindustan Unilever and Tata Tea along with some enquiries from traditional exporters and local dealers.

CROP

Good leaf intake was reported from most growing areas in North India.

INTERNATIONAL

The Mombasa market saw brighter BP1 sell at firm to dearer rates but the remainder saw low enquiry and declined in value. Kazakhstan lent very strong support with more activity from Pakistan packers, Yemen, other West Asian countries and the UK. There was more widespread interest from Egyptian packers but at lower levels. Afghanistan showed much less enquiry with some selective buying by Bazaar. Sudan maintained interest at lower levels. Egyptian Government Sector and Russia were subdued. Somalia was less active at lower levels.

At the Colombo auctions, selected Western High Growns sold well at firm to dearer rates but the remainder eased in value. The CIS shippers were active while other traditional exporters operated.