The Hindu Business Line : Offerings lower at Coimbatore tea auctions

Coimbatore, Jan 23 With leaf and dust grades accounting for 1.47 lakh kg and 3.20 lakh kg respectively, the total offering at the weekly tea auction held at the Tea Trade Association here dipped marginally to 4.67 lakh kg last week.

Select well-made, high-growns ruled firm, while others quoted lower by Rs 2 to Rs 3 a kg. Internal demand was limited to whole leaf grades, while others remained quite.

Limited quantity of the orthodox dust was on offer; enquiries were also limited. Secondary type teas witnessed some withdrawals, and others remained barely steady. CTC leaf grades witnessed improved demand. Good liquoring teas, especially smaller brokens and fannings remained dearer. The medium, plainer, bolder grades saw improved export demand.

High-priced teas down

The orthodox high growns moved in the Rs 65 to Rs 76 price band while the best CTC grades quoted between Rs 52 and Rs 58 a kg. High-priced liquoring teas were quoting lower by up to Rs 3, while medium types were lower by Rs 1.

Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) lent fair support with additional support from internal buyers.