Despite low arrivals, several tea varieties witnessed a better demand at the Kochi Tea auction this week. CTC dust registered a better demand and 90 per cent of the commodity was sold.  

In sale no 48, the quantity on offer in CTC dust was 11,50,000 kg, which was low compared to last week. The market for Good Liquoring and popular marks was appreciated by longer margins of ₹5 to ₹10 and sometimes more. Others were dearer by ₹2 to ₹3 and sometimes more.

There was a better enquiry from Kerala Loose Tea traders and upcountry buyers, while export enquiry confined to medium and plainer varieties, the auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis said.

With a fair demand, the quantity on offer in Orthodox grades was 17,500 kg. The market for primary grades barely remained steady and tended to ease. Secondaries were lower with some withdrawals.

In Cochin CTC dust quotation, good varieties quoted ₹100-155, medium grades fetched ₹65-100 while plain stood at ₹55-65.  

The demand was good for leaf varieties in the auction with 158,500 kg on offer in orthodox grades. The market for Nilgiri Brokens was irregular and sometimes lower.

The quantity on offer in CTC grades was 64,000 kg and the market for Good Liquoring Brokens and Fannings was firm to dearer. Medium and Plainer Fannings witnessed strong feature and appreciated in value. Upcountry buying was active for some varieties.

In dust varieties, Monica SFD quoted the best prices of ₹156 followed by both Manjolai SFD and Manjolai SRD at ₹145 each. In leaf grades, Chamraj Green Tea FOP (Sup) and Havukal FOP fetched the best prices of ₹301 each followed by Pascoes Woodlands Hyson Green Tea at ₹286.