The Hindu Business Line : Mixed trend at Kochi tea sale

A MIXED trend persisted for almost all varieties of tea at the Kochi Tea auction. Though the dust varieties witnessed a good general demand, it was comparatively low for leaf varieties.

Of the quantity of 9,26,000 kg on offer in the dust category, there was a good demand from the inland as well as major packeteers. Orhthodox dust was fully firm to dearer with export as well as with internal enquiry.

The best CTC varieties commanded prices between Rs 60-70, medium CTC realised Rs 50-57 and below medium were quoted Rs 44-49. Highgrown BOPD fetched prices between Rs 83-100, while medium BOPD realised Rs 46-48. Secondaries were quoted Rs 37-43.

The leaf sale witnessed only a fair general demand at Rs 2 at lower levels and the quantity on offer was 3,48,000 kg. Teas of inferior make lost more. CTC leaf easier by Re1 to Rs 2 and were mainly supported by the north Indian agents. Some exporters operated selectively up to a limit on the clean black smaller types. CIS exporters lent a fair support.

The best Nilgiri varieties commanded prices between Rs 65-81, medium Orthodox realised Rs 54-59 and plain Orthodox were quoted Rs 43-48. The best CTC leaf fetched prices between Rs 52-64, while medium CTC realised Rs 42-50.

In the dust varieties, Kodanaad BOPD-CL realised the best prices of Rs 102 followed by both Kil Kotagiri BOPDS and Pasuparai SFD by Rs 83 each. In the leaf category, Kodanaad BOPF-Cl fetched the best prices of Rs 91followed by Havukal BOPF by Rs 88.