All tea prices eased further at this week's auction sale held in Chittagong.

According to a Unity Brokers market report, the sale was held in two days because of local strike.

The market opened very hesitantly as the major buyers held lower limits resulting in large withdrawals but prices eventually settled at around Taka two per kilogram below last week's levels. As the sale progressed, most teas were withdrawn and were later sold in the outlets.

It was disheartening to see the fall in prices after the market gained some momentum list week, the market report said. The major active buyers at the sale were Russia.

Poland. Pakistan and Jordan. Tlie local traders operated at lower levels.

Total withdrawals at the sale stood at 32 per cent of the offerings as against last week's 31 per cent. Leaf offerings comprised 24.270 packages, of which, the export buyers accounted for 64 per cent of the sale while the Internal traders purchased 17 and the remaining 29 per cent was withdrawn.

In the dust category. 5.245c packages were offered, of which, the local traders brought 39 per cent while the export buyers purchased 17 per cent and the rest was withdrawn.

Following Is the categorywise market performance report as prepared by Unity Brokers:

CTC: Large brokens declined by around Taka two and sold in the region of Tk 41.50 - Tk.42.00. Others were similarly easier.. Few best lines realised between Tk 45.00 - Tk 48.90.

Fannings, particularly the cleaner sorts were easier by about one Taka. Plainer types were firm. Few lines sold between Tk 45.50 - Tk 48.00.

GREEN TEA: 300 packages were on offer. YH's sold between Tk 95.00 - Tk 100.00 whilst the Hysons realised Tk 70/-

DUST: 5.245 packages were on offer. Prices generally eased by Tk 1/2. Powdery sorts declined more.

The next tea auction sale (No 19) is scheduled to be held on September 13 and total offerings would consist of about 23.500 packages of leaf and another 4.500 packages of dust.