In the CTC section, there was an improved quantity offered amounting to 39,113 packages of which 90 per cent was sold.

Dooars teas offered in the sale registered a declining trend from the past levels. Cachar teas, which were offered after a long absence, was also ruled easy and absorbed below the quoted levels. However, the best Assams sold well and realised attractive prices in line with the quality. The good and medium Assams, on the other hand, sold irregularly at firm to steadier rates following the line of quality. The remainder tended lower so far.

The Brooke Bond lent improved buying support with Western Indian buyers active for liquoring lines. North India and West Bengal dealers also were active and absorbed good and medium brokens grade teas.

The CIS exporters offered better support for bolder brokens. The liquoring fannings, however, were consumed byBush Tea, Global Traders and other export houses.The 8058 packages of Darjeeling teas also sold well almost at last levels. The exporters as well as domestic buyers remained active with improved vigour.

Improved enquiry was witnessed from the UK and other continental buyers who lifted good liquoring whole leaf and fannings varieties. West Bengal as well as other internal buyers were also active for brokens and fannings at last levels. Iran shippers took interest in whole leaf lines. The highest price in the sale - Rs 1250 per kg - was realised by a line of Selimbong Tea Estate for its consignment no FTGFOP-1.

In the dust section 19,321 packages were put up. The best and gold liquoring Assam dusts realised attractive prices.

The other teas also met with good demand. The medium and plainer varieties, however, received fair inquiry but sold at irregular rates in line with the quality. The prices often declined for inferior grade teas, particularly, non-liquoring and fibrous varieties.

These categories,at times, were withdrew from the sale. Good inquiry was forthcoming from buyers at the Western Indian markets who lifted better liquoring dusts. Selected better liquoring lines were absorbed by the UK buyers. Brooke Bond and Tata Tea operated with fair strength for good liquoring lines. The West Bengal traders, however were less active in the sale.

The Orthodox sale where 31,696 packages offered, was marked with good export inquiry. In the offering more than 90 per cent teas were consumed by the buyers. All tippy and liquoring teas met with good competition and sold well in line with the quality. Clean well made whole leaf sorts ruled fully firm to dearer. Stalkier varieties, however, sold around last levels. All clean brokens sold at fully firm to dearer rates. Fannings tended dearer by Rs 4 per kg to Rs 5 per kg. Continental buyers fairly supported the tippy and liquoring teas. Middle East and CIS buyers operated with improved vigour. The domestic buyers remained less active.

Guwahati sale: Anall round easier trend in prices witnessed in the Guwahati sale no 30 held this week. In the CTC section of the Guwahati sale no 30, where about 99,459 packages were on offer, prices saw an all round downtrend and a good amount of tea remained unsold. Good and better Assams brokens sold at lower levels by Rs 2 per kg to Rs 4 per kg than the past levels. The smaller brokens and fannings, in particular, saw a further decline, and suffered negligence. Cachar teas also eased in prices by Re 1 per kg to Rs 2 per kg with Cachar fannings recording further fall. Brooke Bond was a buyer but at lower rates. The other packeteers remained subdued. Gujarat and Maharashtra buyers operated with fair strength on better liquoring CTCs. The internal sections, on the other hand, were comparatively less active. The lower prices of teas have attracted some export inquiry.Guwahati dust sale also fared easy in prices. The market absorbed about 65 per cent of the total offering of 35,279 packages of teas which was offered in thesale. Good and better liquoring Assam dusts tended lower by Rs 2 per kg and Rs 3 per kg. Remaining teas staged a further fall. The fibrous and non-liquoring grades which suffered a setback sold at easier rates by Rs 4 per kg and occasionally more. Brooke Bond was selective Tata Tea and other packeteers were fairly active for liquoring dusts. Good liquoring dusts have been absorbed by the Maharashtra and Gujarat buyers at last levels. There were hardly any buyers for Guwahati dusts with internal sections remained quiet.