The declining trend in almost all varieties of tea continued for the second consecutive week at the Kochi tea auction.
In sale no 16 in the dust category, the quantity on offer in the CTC grades was 11,43,500 kg. The market for select best clean black well-made teas clubbed with good liquoring properties was barely steady. Others were irregular and lower by Rs 2 to Rs 5 and sometimes more towards the close of the sale.
The quantity on offer in the Orthodox grades was 9,500 kg and the market was barely steady. Auctioneers Forbes, Ewart and Figgis said exporters and upcountry buyers absorbed a major portion of the offerings.
In the best CTC dusts, PD varieties quoted prices of Rs 115/128, RD grades ruled at Rs 128/155, SRD stood at Rs 130/155 and SFD at Rs 130/157.
Prices in the leaf sale were also downward leaning, with a mixed trend in the sale of certain grades. The quantity on offer in the Orthodox category was 140,000 kg and the market for the best Nilgiri Bolder Brokens, smaller brokens whole leaf, Fannings was fully firm to dearer. Others were irregular and sometimes lower.
Medium bolder brokens and smaller brokens were barely steady. Medium whole leaf was irregular and tended to ease and witnessed some withdrawals. Secondary teas were steady to firm and sometimes dearer, while the corresponding Fannings were steady to dearer.
The quantity on offer in the CTC grades was 80,500 kg and the market for good liquoring teas was barely steady and tended to ease. Others were irregular and lower and witnessed some withdrawals.
Despite the downward trend in the auction, Jayashree Premium SRD quoted the best prices in the dust category fetching Rs 1,643. In the leaf grades, Chamraj OP Delight (Green) fetched the best prices of Rs 431, followed by Chamraj Green FOP (S) at Rs 421.