The Hindu Business Line : Coonoor tea prices up

Prices continued to post improvements at the Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) following good demand from exporters, especially Pakistan. The demand was strong to push the prices up by Rs 2 a kg over the previous week despite the volume remaining the second highest for the year so far.

Export offer

Exporters offered forceful support to the better medium varieties. Pakistan picked up the clean jet black sorts paying up to Rs 59 a kg for the better lots.

CIS shippers also stepped up their purchases this week. The teas of their choice gained Rs 2 a kg. Kenya's preference was for the medium and plainer ranges of CTC dusts.

Corporate buyers

Among the corporate buyers, Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) was active on the range of good liquoring varieties. J.V. Gokal supported orthodox leaf.

Among the CTC teas from bought-leaf factories, Darmona Estate got the highest price of Rs 84 a kg, followed by Highfiled Estate Special, Rs 75.50, Hittakkal Estate Rs 75 and Sreeram Supreme Rs 73.05.

Quotations held by the brokers indicated bids ranging from Rs 39 to 41 a kg for the plain leaf grades and Rs 62-68 for the brighter liquoring grades. For the plain dust grades, the bids ranged from Rs 40 to 42 while for the brighter liquoring ones, Rs 65-73.