The Hindu Business Line : Fair demand at Coimbatore tea auctions

Coimbatore May 29 The tea offerings at the weekly auction conducted at the Tea Trade Association of Coimbatore surged to 4.73 lakh kg, with leaf grades accounting for 1.77 lakh kg of the total offerings. There was fair demand for the orthodox leaf. Shippers to the CIS countries operated on these grades with less strength. The major blender was quiet. The market for high grown and mediums saw an easier trend by Rs 2 to Rs 3 a kg.

There was some domestic enquiry at easier levels for the orthodox dust grades, with selective support from exporters. The market was easier by Re 1 to Rs 2 a kg.

While there was fair demand for the brighter liquoring CTC leaf, the rates remained barely steady. Medium/plainer bolder grades also remained barely steady. Others recorded a lower market up to Re 1.

Exporters and internal buyers lent fair support. The major blender operated on medium teas selectively.

There was a fair demand for the CTC dust at lower levels. Internal buyers were the main stay of the market with selective support from HLL/AVT/INDCO and local packeteers. Selective export enquiry was evident on lower level teas.

The orthodox high grown was quoting between Rs 56 and Rs 72 a kg, while the best CTC teas slipped to Rs 47 and Rs 52 price band.