The Hindu Business Line : Darmona tea gets record price at Coonoor sale

Coonoor June 10 The Aravenu-based Darmona Estate created a new record at the auctions of the Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) when its RD grade of the CTC teas, auctioned by J. Thomas and Co, fetched Rs 110 a kg. "This is the highest price fetched by any CTC tea so far this year in the Coonoor auctions. Nisha Enterprises bought the teas", auctioneers J. Thomas told Business Line. This was the fourth consecutive week Darmona hit headlines in the trade circles. Highfield Estate Special came second at Rs 82, followed by Garswood Estate Clonal at Rs 75.

Darmona beat several brands of orthodox teas belying the general contention that the CTC teas fetch lower prices than the orthodox teas.

Pakistan bought some well made brokens for Rs 44-45 a kg. Purchases for CIS markets were subdued.

Among the corporate buyers, Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) supported the good medium grades. Bhansali, Girnar and JFK were among those who operated on bolder brokens. Western Indian buyers were active on CTC and orthodox dust grades.

"Overall, the market lost Rs 1-2 a kg compared to last week. Better medium CTC leaf grades could be sold only when the prices shed Rs 1-2. Plainer sorts, particularly the browner ones declined 50 paise to a rupee a kg. Most orthodox leaf lost Re 1. Better medium CTC dusts eased up to Rs 2. Browner types lost much more. Secondary orthodox dusts suffered withdrawal", an auctioneer said.

Quotations held by the brokers indicated bids ranging from Rs 40 to 42 a kg for the plain leaf sorts and Rs 61-69 for the brighter liquoring sorts. They ranged Rs 41-42 for the plain dust grades and Rs 65-80 for the brighter liquoring grades.