The Hindu Business Line : Fair demand at tea sales in Coimbatore

Coimbatore April 16 The total offerings at the auction held at the Tea Trade Association of Coimbatore amounted to 3.94 lakh kg, of which leaf grades accounted for 1.86 lakh kg and the rest was dust.

There was fair demand for the orthodox leaf grades. Select well-made high growns ruled firm to dearer levels, while others that were irregular in quality were absorbed by the CIS exporters. HLL remained silent and internal demand, limited to whole leaf grades.

Internal buyers and few exporters operated on the orthodox dust. Volumes on offer were limited.

The market remained good for the CTC leaf grades. There was fair support for few brighter liquoring teas, particularly from upcountry buyers. The medium plainer grades met with some export demand.

CTC dust witnessed good demand. Major blenders lent selective support on medium bolder teas. Internal buyers were active picking good liquoring teas. Export demand was selective for the medium grades. The prices for the popular and good liquoring teas ruled firm to dearer by Re 1 to Rs 2.

The orthodox high growns quoted between Rs 65 and 85, while the best CTC ruled in the Rs 47 - 53 price range.