Kolkata, Oct. 16 This week, good liquoring Assam CTC teas in North India were firm around last levels with select lines tending dearer, according to tea auctioneers J Thomas & Co Pvt Ltd.
Medium and plainer Assams were around last levels. Good Dooars were around last and irregularly lower, while remaining Dooars sold around last levels.
Tata Tea was active with good support from Hindustan Unilever. 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 well-made orthodox teas were firm to dearer. The remainder were around last levels and at times appreciated in line with quality. CIS and West Asia were the mainstay of the market, with useful support from Hindustan Unilever. Some support was there from local dealers.
Darjeeling offerings met with good demand at firm to dearer rates following competition. There were useful enquiries from Hindustan Unilever and Tata Tea. Good support came from traditional exporters and local dealers.
CROP
The August crop figure for North India has been announced at 114.4 million kgs, an increase of 5.4 mkgs over last year. The all India August crop, at 134.4 mkgs is ahead by 11.3 mkgs compared to 2008. The year to date crop in North India now stands at 443.2 mkgs, a deficit of just 1.4 mkgs, while the year to date all India crop at 595.3 mkgs is behind by 4.5 mkgs.
The Mombasa market saw brighter BP1, PD and D1 grades appreciate in value, while the remainder — especially the PF1 grade — declined with some withdrawals. Kazakhstan was dominant, especially on best BP1s. Meanwhile Pakistan Packers, Yemen and other West Asian countries showed more interest, with Egyptian Packers quieter at the start but more active towards the close. The UK showed strong support with Sudan active but at lower levels. Afghanistan was quieter, while Bazaar, Russia and Egyptian Government Sector were subdued. Somalia showed more interest at the lower end of the market.
The Colombo auctions saw improved demand at dearer rates. Traditional exporters operated actively.
Source : Business Line