The Hindu Business Line : Kochi tea prices steady to dearer

Good general demand ensured that the price of most dust varieties was steady at the Kochi tea auction. Orthodox high growns and mediums were steady to dearer, while CTC varieties remained steady and sometimes eased by Re 1 to Rs 2.

There was 12,49,000 kg on offer at the auction, which had good export demand for medium and below medium CTC varieties.

Best CTC varieties were quoted between Rs 57-65, while medium CTC ranged between Rs 48-58 and below medium were at Rs 44-46. High grown BOPD was quoted between Rs 75-110, medium BOPD at Rs 42 and secondaries between Rs 35-37.

Good demand

There was 3,35,000 kg on offer at the leaf sale. Good general demand was witnessed for orthodox medium varieties and whole-leaf grades remained steady. Other brokens eased by Re 1 to Rs 2, while high growns generated good demand and remained steady to dearer. High grown fannings eased while medium and plain CTCs remained steady to dearer.

Exporters to Iraq were selective on medium orthodox varieties.

, while high growns witnessed better demand from exporters to CIS countries.

Best Nilgiri varieties were quoted between Rs 65-70, medium orthodox between Rs 48-54 and plain orthodox at Rs 45-46. Best CTC leaf commanded Rs 47-54 while medium CTC ranged between Rs 42-45.

Among the dust varieties, Kodanad BOPD at Rs 110, Pasuparai SFD Rs 85, Pasuparai FD Rs 83 and Pasuparai GD Rs 71 commanded the top prices. Among the leaf varieties, Chamraj OP at Rs 100 commanded the top price followed by Havukal BOPF at Rs 97, Kodanad BOPF at Rs 96 and Havukal OP at Rs 86.