The Hindu Business Line : Coonoor teas up

PRICES generally moved up by Rs 3 a kg at the tea auctions conducted by the Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) here last week when a huge volume of 14.47 lakh kg was offered for sale.

The upcountry demand increased because of the Assam floods restricting the flow of teas from that region.

The buyers for the quality-conscious Gujarat market admitted that the leaf appearance has generally improved this week. They picked up the teas of their choice for Rs 68-70 a kg.

On the corporate front, healthy competition was seen between Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) and Tata Tea for the good liquoring leaf grades.

On the export front, HLL bought some dust grades for Kenyan market at around Rs 40 a kg. The buyers for Pakistan picked some clean black teas for Rs 36. Poland bought the plainer varieties for Rs 34-36, while Russia and other CIS buyers paid Rs 35-37. Iraq operated on the leaf grades at around Rs 36-38.

``The best high grown orthodox brokens were dearer by Rs 2. Orange Pekoes were higher by Rs 3. Fannings grades were dearer. Clean black leaf grades were dearer by Rs 3. Plain ones were dearer by Rs 2. Good liquoring CTC dusts were dearer by Rs 2. Plainer CTC dusts were dearer by Rs 2,'' noted the market report of the Joint Brokers.

In all, some, 40,000 kg were sold for over Rs 60 a kg.

On the average, plain dusts were sold for Rs 35 a kg, while the better ones, Rs 40. Plain leaf grades Rs 32, while the better ones, Rs 40.

For the next week auction, a volume of 13.62 lakh kg comprising 9.72 lakh kg of leaf and 3.9 lakh kg of dusts has been catalogued.