The Hindu Business Line : Steady trend at Kochi tea sale

Steady trends prevailed at the Kochi tea auction that had good general demand. Prices of CTC dust varieties eased by Rs 2-3 while slackening trends were evident in some orthodox varieties as well. Blenders were active in the domestic market while exporters remained relatively inactive.

Best CTC varieties commanded a price of Rs 67 - 68, medium CTC Rs 58 - 65 and below medium at Rs 50 - 55. High grown BOPD fetched Rs 90 - 137, while medium BOPD was quoted at Rs 45 - 48.

Leaf Sale

There was 2.40 lakh kg of leaf tea on offer. Prices of orthodox high grown varieties eased by Rs2-5, while medium orthodox grades were steady. Exporters to CIS countries lent good support to good medium orthodox grades, while other exporters operated on high grown varieties. CTC varieties witnessed a good demand and the market remained steady to firm. Good demand was evident from exporters and inter-State buyers on CTC varieties.

Best Nilgiri leaf varieties commanded Rs 80 - 92, medium orthodox Rs 58 - 75 and plain orthodox was at Rs 48 - 55. Best CTC leaf realised Rs 53 - 58, while medium CTC was quoted at Rs 46 - 50.

Top Prices

Kodanad BOPD quoted the highest in the dust segment at Rs 137 followed by Pasuparai FD Rs 106, Pasuparai SFD Rs 95 and Parkside BOPD at Rs 90. In the leaf segment, Parkside FOPS quoted the top price at Rs 135, Quinshola FOPS Rs 132, Quinshola FOP Rs 125 and Chamraj OP Rs 121.