This week at Sale No. 18, the average prices of both orthodox and CTC at Kolkata tea auction were up, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers. Thus, the average price of orthodox at Rs 224.32 was higher than last week’s (Sale 17) price of Rs 207.15 for one kg. The corresponding figures for CTC were Rs 156.63 and Rs 154.03 respectively. An estimated 91.34 per cent (76.3 per cent) of orthodox and 75.4 per cent (68.98 per cent) of CTC volumes were sold. This week, the total offerings (packages) at at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri auctions centres were 1,58,205 compared to 1,08,114 in the corresponding sale (No. 18) of last year. The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/dust 44,353 (31,956), orthodox 6,802 (2,379) and Darjeeling 2,588 (1,204). The offerings at two other centres, handling mainly CTC/dust, were Guwahati 49,848 (34,086) and Siliguri 54,614 (38,489). Selected liquoring Assam CTC brokens sold well while the remainder were easier. Tata Global operated on the top liquoring sorts. There was selective support from Hindustan Unilever. Western India operated actively. There were good enquiries from other internal and local sections. Clean well made orthodox whole leaf and larger broken grades were firm with a few lines appreciating. Smaller brokens and bolder whole leaf were around last and at times dearer. Fannings eased in value. Continental exporters operated on the tippy teas on offer. The CIS and the West Asian shippers operated actively. There was fair interest from local dealers. Well made Darjeeling first flush teas witnessed useful enquiry from traditional exporters and sold well. Similar brokens and fannings also moved well owing to export enquiry. Whole leaf varieties showing a decline in quality met with less enquiry and sold at lower rates, while similar brokens and fannings were readily absorbed by local dealers. Source: thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/tea-prices-up-in-kolkata-sale/article4686544.ece