The Hindu Business Line : Prices steady at Kochi tea sale

There was a good general demand at the Kochi dust tea auction. Prices of medium and below medium CTC varieties remained fully firm to dearer by Rs 2-3, while other high priced CTC varieties remained steady to dearer by Rs 1-2. The auction had 9,06,000 kg of dust tea on offer.

Orthodox high grown prices eased, even as medium orthodox witnessed firm trends. CTC dust grades witnessed a good enquiry from exporters. Blenders and domestic buyers lent useful support at lower levels.

Best CTC dust varieties were quoted at Rs 55-68, medium CTC at Rs 52-58, while below medium ranged between Rs 47-52.

High grown BOPD varieties fetched Rs 112, medium BOPD was quoted at Rs 45-50, while secondaries were at Rs 40-42.

Leaf Sale

Prices of most varieties remained steady or dearer at the auction, which had 2,58,000 kg of leaf tea on offer. As buyers chased quality, prices of medium orthodox brokens and fannings remained steady to dearer by Rs 1-2. Prices of poorer orthodox varieties tended to ease, while high grown orthodox remained fully firm to dearer.

Prices of CTC smaller brokens, as well as medium and smaller grades remained steady.

Orthodox grades witnessed better demand from exporters.

Best Nilgiri leaf varieties commanded a price of Rs 68-80, medium orthodox Rs 48-63, while plain orthodox were quoted at Rs 43-44. Best CTC leaf realised Rs 50-55 while medium CTC fetched Rs 47-51.

Top Prices

Kodanad BOPD fetched the top price of Rs 112 at the dust auction, followed by Pasuparai FD at Rs 100, Pasuparai SFD at Rs 96 and Pasuparai RD at Rs 77.

In the leaf segment, Chamraj OP realised Rs 107, followed by Havukal BOPF Rs 103, Parkside BOPF Rs 93 and Craigmore BOPF Rs 92.