The Hindu Business Line : CTC dust tea prices ease at Kochi sale

Prices of high quality CTC dust teas eased by Re 1-Rs 2 at the Kochi tea auction. Medium CTC dust varieties were barely steady to irregular at last week’s levels.

Plain CTC witnessed a dearer market. Orthodox dust varieties remained steady. Blenders were fairly active and medium dust varieties witnessed some export enquiry. There was 10,50,000 kg of dust on offer at the auction.

Best CTC varieties commanded Rs 65-77, medium CTC quoted Rs 55-64 and below medium was at Rs 43-48. High-grown BOPD fetched Rs 100-122, medium BOPD was at Rs 45-47 and secondaries ranged at Rs 40-42.

Primary good quality high grown orthodox leaf quoted higher. Other high-grown varieties were steady to easier. Prices of medium orthodox grades also eased. CTC grades opened at a lower level and became firm to dearer as the sale progressed.

Orthodox grades witnessed good export enquiry. CTCs were absorbed by major blenders, exporters and inter-State buyers. Best Nilgiri varieties quoted Rs 85-120, medium orthodox realised Rs 53-65 and plain orthodox was at Rs 40-45. Best CTC leaf varieties fetched Rs 54-63, while medium CTC was at Rs 51-55.

Among the dust varieties, Kodanad BOPD fetched the top price at Rs 122 followed by Parkside BOPD at Rs 100. In leaf varieties, Havukal CLBOP fetched the top price at Rs 166 followed by Craigmore TGFOP at Rs 152.