The Hindu Business Line : Good demand buoys Kochi tea

Good general demand buoyed up the price of dust tea at the Kochi tea auction. There was 11,05,000 kg of dust tea on offer. Good and medium CTC varieties remained firm to dearer by Re 1 to Rs 2, while high-priced varieties remained irregular as buyers pursued quality.

Orthodox high grown dust was quoted higher, while medium and secondary remained dearer. CTC dusts witnessed good export enquiry, while demand from domestic blenders also lent price support.

Best CTC varieties were quoted between Rs 55 and Rs 65, medium CTC ranged between Rs 46 and Rs 54, below medium were Rs 43 to Rs 47. High grown BOPD were between Rs 90 and Rs 122, medium varieties ranged between Rs 41 and 43, and secondaries quoted between Rs 36 and Rs 39.

Orthodox medium and high grown orthodox prices tended to ease at the leaf tea auction, which had 3,62,000 kg on offer. However, prices of some quality high grown varieties remained firm. There was good demand from exporters for CTC leaf, particularly for smaller brokens and fannings, which appreciated by Re 1 to Rs 3. Exporters to Tunisia and Iraq operated on medium orthodox grades. Exporters to CIS countries remained selective on high grown orthodox varieties.

Best Nilgiri varieties realised between Rs 63 and 68, medium orthodox Rs 45 to Rs 55 and plain orthodox were quoted at Rs 44 to Rs 45. Best CTC leaf commanded Rs 50 to Rs 56, while medium CTC Rs 48 to Rs 52.

Among the dust varieties, Kodanad BOPD fetched top price of Rs 122, Pasuparai FD Rs 90, Parkside BOPD Rs 90 and Pasuparai SFD Rs 85. In the lead segment, Havukal BOPF quoted Rs 106, Kodanad BOPF Rs 103, Chamraj OP Rs 97 and Glendale BOPF Rs 91.