The average price of Bangladesh teas slid 0.54 percent to 79.86 taka ($1.21) per kg on lower overseas demand at an auction on Tuesday. "More than 1.44 million kg were sold at average price of 79.86 taka per kg, down 0.43 taka from the last sale. The withdrawal percentage was 6.52," said an auctioneer.

Buyers from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Pakistan and Bangladesh participated in the auction.

The auction, generally a weekly feature, was last held on October 25, ahead of holidays for the Eid al-Fitr Muslim festival.

Different grades sold at between 68 and 116 taka per kg. The next weekly auction will be held on November 15 with an expected offering of nearly 1.48 million kg.

Copyright Reuters, 2005