In the CTC sale, the quantity offered was as large as 59,817 packages, of which more than 95 per cent was consumed mainly by the domestic traders.

The best category Assam brokens saw an uptrend by Rs 5 a kg while other good and medium grades in this section were maintaining last levels. Dooars brokens tended up in prices by Rs 1-2 per kg and were quoted at Rs 50-62 a kg. Good fannings sold at last levels while medium sorts quoted at Rs 50-60 a kg as against Rs 48-56.

Hind Lever and Gujarat traders opted for major share of teas while locals absorbed Dooars. There were improved CIS enquiry for bolder brokens. Darjeeling teas, amounting to 6166 packages, witnessed a good demand with few lines left unsold. The good whole leaf teas witnessed good competition among domestic traders and sold at last levels of Rs 150-220 a kg with a single line sold at Rs 350 a kg. The other whole leaves were down by Rs 10 a kg to Rs 110-140 a kg while all brokens sold well but at lower rates by Rs 5 a kg. Medium fannings staged a gain by Rs 10 a kg and all levels quoted between Rs 80-110 a kg. Almost all teas were consumed by domestic sections with export enquiry remaining very few.

There were good demands for 21,746 packages of Orthodox teas with 85 per cent of it being consumed by the markets. All sorts sold at firm to dearer levels. Prices of good whole leaf ruled firm at Rs 120-155 a kg, while medium sorts were quoted at Rs 75-85 a kg as against Rs 75-90 a kg. Good brokens hovered at around last levels and medium brokens moved divergently at Rs 54-68 a kg as against Rs 54-66 a kg. Fannings sold betwwen Rs 34-42 a kg.

Hind Lever and CIS remained major takers and Middle-East and Continental shippers rendered improved supports. Locals operated for smaller brokens. The market opened to good demand with more than 90 per cent of 19,165 packages of dusts teas being sold. All good dusts sold well at firm to dearer rates with selected better teas sold at much higher rates at Rs 78-94 a kg as against Rs 76-90. The remaining sorts sold at silghtly easy rates.

All domestic sections, including Gujarat consumers, Hind Lever and other packeteers were active buyers.

Guwahati sale
The Guwahati Sale No. 40 showed mixed trend in demand with CTC being well absorbed at 80 per cent out of an offering of 1,09,628 packages, while consumption of dust tea remaining poor at 65 per cent out of 45,136 packages.A few selected better Assam CTCs sold at firm rates. Firm trends also witnessed in the prices of grainy, clean and well made medium teas.

Remaining CTCs sold in line with quality.In the dust section, selected better Assam teas, particularly smaller Assam dusts, attracted good competition and sold at last levels. Prices of remaining lines tending firm sold in quality lines.

Bulk of the CTCs and dusts were absorbed by Hind Lever and Gujarat buyers with packeters like Tata Tea and Duncans operated on selected lines. Other locals were also somewhat active. CIS buyers operated for bolder brokens in CTC teas.