Prices at the auctions of Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) have fallen 20.84 per cent from the peak in February and 14.21 per cent since the beginning of the current calendar, reveals an analysis of the market reports.

Although prices have been ruling more than the levels reached this time last year, they have been tracing a declining trend week after week for the past three months.

Prices are currently averaging Rs 58.50 a kg against Rs 57.11 this time last year.

But, they have traced a sharp decline since the peak of Rs 73.90 posted on February 10. The falling trend has been consistently happening week after week. This means, in the three months, every kilo of tea has been fetching as much as Rs 15.40 less. This accounts for a decline of 20.84 per cent.

The year opened with an average price of Rs 68.19 a kg. So, compared to that, every kg has lost Rs 9.69 in the five months. This accounts for a decline of 14.21 per cent.

In May alone, prices have declined Rs 5 a kg compared to April-end.

Although quality offers fetch more prices than others, even they have lost considerably. This week, 24 marks of orthodox offers and 64 marks of CTC offers fetched Rs 100 and more a kg.

comment COMMENT NOW