The minimum prices of both leaf and dust grades have increased in 2011 at the Coonoor Tea Trade Association auctions, reveals an analysis of Market Reports of various brokers.

Now, no tea is available for less than Rs 44 a kg. Last week, when the market opened after a fortnight's closure for Christmas-New Year, the minimum price was Rs 42;at the end of 2010 the minimum price was Rs 40.

In the leaf market, plain teas are now fetching Rs 44-48, medium grades Rs 50-55 and bright liquoring sorts Rs 80-120. This shows an increase in minimum prices over last week — plain teas then fetched Rs 42-46 while medium and brighter liquoring sorts got the same price.

In the dust market, plain teas are now fetching Rs 60-65, medium grades Rs 66-69 and bright liquoring sorts Rs 90-138. This shows an increase in all the grades over last week: Plain Rs 54-60, medium Rs 60-64 and bright liquoring Rs 90-132. This means, no dust grade is available for less than Rs 60 now against Rs 54 last week.

Maximum price

On the upper edge (maximum price), this week, Darmona Estate topped the CTC market at Rs 153 a kg (last week's highest price: Rs 151). “Our Red Dust (RD) fetched this price. Our Pekoe Dust (PD) got the second highest price of Rs 152. These are the highest prices among all dusts and leaf grades this week. In all, our six grades got Rs 122 and more,” Mr Dinesh Raju, Managing Partner, Darmona, told Business Line .

Vigneshwar Estate topped the CTC leaf market at Rs 144 (Rs 146). “Our Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) got this price. In all, our four grades got Rs 135 and more,” Mr Ramesh Bhojarajan, Managing Partner, Vigneshwar, said.

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