Coonoor tea eases on inadequate demand

Homedale Estate tea, auctioned by Global Tea Brokers, topped CTC market in Sale No: 6 of the auctions of Coonoor Tea Trade Association fetching Rs 144 a kg. “Three of our grades – Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP), Broken Pekoe (BP) and Red Dust (RD) – got Rs 144 each. In all, our seven grades got Rs 134 and more,” Homedale Managing Partner, Mr Prashant Menon, told Business Line.

Darmona Estate and Hittakkal Estate were second toppers at Rs 141. “Our Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning (BOPF) fetched this price. In all, our six grades got Rs 110 and more,” Mr Dinesh Raju, Darmona Managing Partner, said. “Our Pekoe Dust (PD) got Rs 141. In all, our six grades got Rs 107 and more,” Hittakkal Managing Partner, Mr Rajesh Chander, said.

Shanthi Supreme and Vigneshwar Estate got Rs 137 each, Sree Tea Supreme Rs 134 and Professor Rs 130. In all, 89 marks fetched Rs 100 and more.

Orthodox teas

Among orthodox teas from the corporate sector, Curzon got Rs 177, Chamraj Rs 175, Kairbetta Rs 167, Havukal Rs 166, Highfield Estate Rs 165, Singara Estate and Tiger Hill clonal Rs 162 each. In all, 35 marks got Rs 100 and more.

Teas worth Rs 1.05 crore remained unsold because there were no takers for 14 per cent of the 10.05 lakh on offer.

“Orthodox leaf eased Rs 1-3 a kg but quality BOPF gained Rs 5-10. High-priced CTC leaf lost Rs 2-3, better mediums and plainers Rs 1-2. Primary orthodox dust got Rs 2-5 more. High-priced CTC leaf lost Rs 1-2, but plainers gained Rs 1-3,” an auctioneer said.

Export purchases were weak. Pakistan bought selectively in a wide range of Rs 56-87 a kg and the CIS, Rs 48-85. Quotations held by brokers indicated bids ranging Rs 48-54 a kg for plain leaf grades and Rs 80-133 for brighter liquoring sorts. They ranged from Rs 56-61 for plain dusts and Rs 90-144 for brighter liquoring dusts.