The Hindu Business Line : Offers at Coimbatore tea sales dip

The total offerings at the Tea Trade centre here dipped to 4.95 lakh kg, with leaf grades accounting for 1.75 lakh kg. There was fair demand for the orthodox leaf grades with better Nilgiris orthodox ruling steady, while others remained irregular with quality. Internal demand was limited, exporters to CIS countries lent fair support and HUL operated on lower level teas.

There was limited quantity of orthodox dust on offer and these were sold around last levels. Few exporters and internal buyers picked these teas. Good liquoring CTC leaf grades recorded firm to occasionally dearer rates. Medium and plainer bolder grades ruled firm, others irregular. HUL was selective, exporters operated on bolder grades. CTC dust witnessed good demand. The popular high priced teas quoted dearer by a rupee, the good mediums tended dearer by up to Rs 2 and the plainer sorts with better leaf appearance made some gains. Exporters operated on medium teas. The orthodox high-grown ranged between Rs 60 and Rs 70/kg, while medium orthodox dust ranged in the Rs 30-44 band. The best CTC dust quoted in the Rs 55-64 price range. –

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