The Hindu Business Line : Prices ease at Kochi tea sale

Kochi June 21 Tea arrivals at the Kochi tea auction continued to be strong despite the high levels last week. Dust tea arrivals was at 14,00,000 kg, while leaf arrivals was 3,87,000 kg.

Good liquoring CTC dust remained steady at last week's levels, while medium CTC declined by Rs 2-4. Orthodox high grown dust was lower by Rs 5, while medium orthodox prices eased by Re 1- Rs 2. Major blenders operated on good liquoring CTC while medium CTC witnessed fair demand from exporters. Loose tea trade was selective.

Best CTC varieties quoted Rs 52-62, medium CTC was at Rs 47-50 and below medium ranged between Rs 37-40. High grown BOPD quoted at Rs 95, medium BOPD fetched Rs 42-44 and secondaries ranged between Rs 32-37.

Leaf Tea

Best orthodox grades remained steady to dearer while medium and primary orthodox prices were lower by Rs 2-5. Prices of good CTC varieties remained steady, while medium and plain CTC prices fell by Re 1 - Rs 2. Exporters were fairly active in orthodox grades.

Best Nilgiri varieties fetched Rs 72-92, medium orthodox ranged between Rs 46-72 and plain orthodox was at Rs 42-44. Best CTC leaf fetched Rs 51-54 and medium CTC leaf was at Rs 42-45.

Top Prices

Pasuparai FD fetched the top price in the dust variety at Rs 96, followed by Kodanad BOPD at Rs 95, Kannavarai SFD at Rs 79 and Shanthi SFD at Rs 78. In the leaf category, Chamraj FP fetched the top price at Rs 120, followed by Havukal BOPF also at Rs 120, Kodanad BOPF at Rs 117 and Charaj OP at Rs 116.