Meanwhile, weather was unfavourable in the tea districts of Dooars andAssam, with excessive cold weather conditions prevailing in most of theareas. The planters were of the view that if rain does not come within nextfew days, the crop will suffer considerably.

Prices showed a divergent trend in the CTC sale. There were 57,813 packageson offer and more than 90 per cent was sold. Good Assam brokens sold higherby Rs 2 per kg between Rs 84 and Rs 92, due to improved quality. Better teasin good Assam fannings, however, receded by Re 1 a kg.

The other prices kept to previous levels. Prices of good Dooars brokens alsogained by Rs 2 to Rs 3 per kg and sold between Rs 73 and Rs 82 a kg whilegood fannings were firm between Rs 68 and Rs 72. Medium Assams continued tohover between Rs 68 and Rs 76 a kg with fannings of this category decliningby Re 1 to Rs 64 to 72 per kg.

Hindustan Lever was fairly active in purchases while all other domesticbuyers rendered good support. There was some export enquiry for selectedCTCs.

There were 5,333 packages of Darjeeling teas on offer of which autumnaltouch whole leaf and brokens witnessed a dearer trend. The tippy whole leafand bolder brokens were absorbed by the UK and continental shippers atdearer rates.

All lines of whole leaf quoted between Rs 150 to Rs 250 per kg compared toRs 140 to Rs 170 per kg. Prices of brokens moved between Rs 140 to Rs 170 akg against Rs 120 and Rs 150 per kg. There were some fannings on offer whichsold between Rs 100 and Rs 130 per kg. Better varieties gained by Rs 10 akg. The medium brokens and fannings were consumed by West Bengal traders andsome packeteers.

In the Orthodox sale, 90 per cent of the 11,244 packages offered was sold.Tippy and liquoring whole leaf sold dearer by Rs 15 a kg while all wholeleaf lines were dearer by Rs 5 per kg. Well made brokens surged by Rs 5 perkg while prices of other brokens maintained past levels. Prices of fanningshowever, were down by Rs 4 to 5 a kg due to decline in quality.

Continental, West Asia and CIS shippers as well as Hind Lever absorbed afair share in this sale with good support from local buyers.

There was lacklustre demand for dust sale with more than 30 per cent of23,174 chests offered being left unsold. All lines eased in value with goodAssams dusts quoting between Rs 60 and 80 against Rs 64 to 82 a kg. Theprices of Dooars category, however, dropped by Re 1 to Rs 66 to 72 a kg.Western India operated at lower levels while Hind Lever picked up fair shareof teas.

Guwahati sale
Both CTC and dust sale in the Guwahati tea auction no 2 met with good demandat firm to dearer levels. The CTC sale with an offering of 101,500 packagessaw good offtake at 85 per cent. Liquoring and clean Assam tea sold at firmto dearer rates while the remainder ruled steady. Prices of some teas felldue to the seasonal decline in quality. This includes browner and fibrousgrades.

In the dust section where 37,788 chests offered and 81 per cent consumed,prices of better varieties sold at fully firm to dearer rates. The remaindereased in value by Rs 1 to 2 a kg. Hind Lever operated with full strengthwhile other packeteers and CIS shippers consumed selected CTCs. Otherdomestic markets were active.