Major blender Hindustan Lever and Western Indian buyers lifted a fair quantity of teas with all major packeteers extending good support to liquoring lines. Local dealers absorbed grainy well-made teas, while other domestic sections were selective. The CIS also operated on selected teas.

In the Darjeeling section of the sale where 7,040 packages were offered, trading was hectic, and continental shippers were active. Prices however, hovered around past levels with an occasional uptrend. Good and medium whole leaf was readily absorbed by the UK and continental shippers at around last levels. Good brokens and liquoring fannings also received good support from overseas shippers and sold at firm rates. Internal buyers operated for medium and common brokens and fannings.

The whole leaf grade was quoted between Rs 160 and Rs 220 a kg, while brokens and fannings sold at firm rates between Rs 120 and Rs 160 a kg. Offtake in orthodox teas fell marginally. The market absorbed a little above 80 per cent of an offering of 2,423 chests. At the last sale, more than 85 per cent teas of about 13,528 chests was consumed. Well-made whole leaf and larger brokens sold at steady to dearer rates. Prices of smaller brokens and fannings fell as buyers took no interest. Whole leaf sold between Rs 100 and Rs 135 per kg, while brokens ruled between Rs 95 and Rs 125 per kg. Fannings hovered lower between Rs 88 and Rs 96 a kg.

The CIS and Middle East shippers showed good interest for better orthodox followed by some enquiry from continental shippers. Other domestic buyers operated for cheaper brokens and fannings. In the dust section where 20,150 packages were offered, more than 85 per cent was consumed. Good and better liquoring Assam dusts sold around last levels between Rs 93 and Rs 103 a kg. Medium sorts following quality lines hovered between Rs 80 and Rs 88 a kg. Bright liquoring secondaries sold well and ruled firm. Prices of fibrous dusts declined.

Hind Lever was fairly active with good support from the other packeteers. Western Indian buyers opted for liquoring dusts and local dealers lifted cheaper sorts.

Guwahati sale
The market opened to a fair demand for teas offered at Guwahati sale no 44 with prices fluctuating. Prices were however, steady for good teas.

At the CTC section of the sale, 91,583 packages were offered and more than 85 per cent sold. Selected good Cachar CTCs were absorbed at steady rates, while smaller brokens eased by Re 1 to Rs 2 a kg. Prices of better brokens in medium and good Assams slid by up to Rs 2 a kg with browner and plainer varieties lowered further.

Sustained demands were witnessed from Hind Lever and other packeteers. The CIS shippers were selective with other internal buyers less active.