The Hindu Business Line : Good demand at Kochi tea sale

Good general demand was evident for the 8.26-lakh kg of dust tea on offer at the Kochi tea auction and the prices remained firm. CTC dust was firmer by Re 1 to Rs 2, while orthodox was steady.

Demand was evident from major blenders as well as domestic buyers, while exporters operated on medium bolder CTC varieties.

Best CTC varieties were quoted at Rs 67-80, medium at Rs 57-65, while below medium ranged between Rs 50-55. High grown BOPD commanded Rs 83-138, medium BOPD was at Rs 50-53 and secondaries at Rs 47-49.

Leaf auction

There was 1.87 lakh kg of leaf tea on offer where orthodox high grown whole leaf tea grades were quoted higher. High grown broken fannings remained steady to dearer. CTC varieties remained steady. Orthodox tea witnessed good demand from exporters to CIS countries while interstate buyers were active in CTC varieties.

Best Nilgiri varieties commanded Rs 85-120, medium orthodox was at Rs 520-55 and plain orthodox at Rs 41-43. Best CTC leaf quoted Rs 53-55 while medium CTC fetched Rs 48-52.

Top prices

Kodanad BOPD fetched the top price in the dust segment at Rs 138, followed by Pasuparai FD at Rs 108, Pasuparai SFD at Rs 104 and Kil-Kotagiri BOPD at Rs 95.

In the leaf segment, Mailoor GFOP commanded the top price of Rs 315 followed by Mailoor OP at Rs 275, Tiger Hill FOP at Rs 145 and Craigmore FOP at Rs 145.