There was a surge in arrivals at the Kochi tea auction with 12, 45,000 kg of dust and 4, 25,000 kg of leaf tea on offer. Meanwhile, prices eased at the dust auction. High priced teas quoted lower at the CTC dust auction where medium grades remained barely steady even as plain grades declined by Rs 2-3 a kg. AVT, Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation and Tata Global continued to be active. Hindustan Unilever remained selective while export enquiry was lower than last week. There were several withdrawals from the orthodox dust auction where prices quoted lower.

Leaf Auction

Nilgiri teas remained firm to dearer at the orthodox leaf auction even as most other grades remained barely steady. Medium whole leaf and broken grades quoted lower. There was improved demand from CIS countries and traditional exporters. Exports to Tunisia remained subdued. High grown fannings were sought after by tea bag manufacturers and exporters. There was a fair demand on whole leaf grades. Hindustan Unilever was not active. CTC leaf auction was barely steady, tending lower. Tata Global and AVT remained selective. Exporters were active on medium and smaller grades as well as fannings. There was fair amount of upcountry demand.

Top Prices

Pasuparai FD fetched the top price at Rs 131 at the dust auction followed by Pasuparai SFD at Rs 129, Injipara SRD at Rs 125 and Injipara RD at Rs 122. At the leaf auction Pascoe's green tea fetched the top price at Rs 302 followed by Chamraj OP and Havukal BOPF at Rs 209 and Chamraj OP at Rs 208.

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