Pakistan, currently the major foreign buyer of country's tea, has also lent fair support, traders said yesterday.

Of the leaf tea on offer, the best quality smaller Brokens were readily sold. The occasional lines gained more while the medium and plainer types also gained to some extent.

In Fannings varieties, a small amount of the well made good liquoring types was available.

The dust tea saw a strong demand and price for most descriptions increased by Tk 5.00 a kg.

Sources said a total of around 18,000 chests of teas were put on offer in the auction this week. Of this, 15,600 were leaf tea and 2,400 were dust tea. The top price this week was Tk 112.00

The season's last auction (sale no-45) will be held on March 15 and the next season will start after a break of one month, sources said.