The downward trend in total demand and total offerings was marked once again for all categories of tea during Sale-07, a Calcutta Tea Traders Association (CTTA) official said on Thursday. The auction was held on February 14 and the market witnessed a further decline in total demand by 20.40 per cent, he said.

According to CTTA official data, the total offerings amounted to 50,759 packages (14,84,784 kg) comprising 28,022 packages of CTC leaf, 15,221 packages of orthodox, 584 packages of Darjeeling leaf and 6,932 packages of dust tea.

CTC leaf met with good demand at lower price level and a total of 6,81,511 kg of different categories was sold at an average price of Rs 155.00 per kg.

Around 54.43 per cent of the total demand was witnessed for CTC leaf at below Rs 150 per kg price level and only 3.85 per cent was marked at above Rs 250 per kg level, it revealed.

Western India was active and other internals marked good support. Hindustan Unilever marked good support while TCPL was selective, the data said.

Orthodox offerings also saw fair demand at lower price range and a total of 3,25,367 kg of different qualities was claimed at an average price of Rs 167.22 per kg. About 44.02 per cent of total demand was for tea at below Rs 150 per kg and only 7.11 per cent was marked at higher price level. Middle East was active and CIS saw good support.

Darjeeling leaf met with strong demand at lower price level and a total of 8,365 kg of different quality was sold at an average price of Rs 131.39 per kg. Around 94.54 per cent of the total demand was observed for Darjeeling leaf at below Rs 200 per kg level while only 4.59 per cent was marked at above Rs 500 per kg. The total absence of demand at medium price range was another feature of Darjeeling leaf during this auction. Major blenders did not operate. Exporters and local operators were in mainstay.

Demand for this week’s dust offerings was much lower and a total of 2,10,511 kg of different quality was claimed at an average price of Rs 147.60 per kg.

Around 53.09 per cent of the total demand was marked for dust offerings at lower price level while only 1.54 per cent was observed at higher price level, it said.

Hindustan Unilever operated actively while TCPL was selective. Good enquiry was in evidence from internal and other local dealers.

The number of buyers for CTC, Orthodox, Darjeeling leaf and dust teas was 113, 61, 29 and 64 respectively during this session, the official data added.