A good demand lifted the prices of some tea varieties at Kochi auctions. The market opened on an irregular note and it ruled steady to firm and dearer towards the close. However, medium and plainer grainer varieties gained better prices, following a good export enquiry.
In sale no 23, the quantity on offer in CTC dust was 8,66,000 kg. Leading blenders extended active support to good liquoring varieties, while upcountry buyers lent fair support, the auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis said.
In orthodox sale, the market for primary and secondary varieties was dearer. Exporters continued to be the mainstay for orthodox dust. The quantity on offer was 8,000 kg.
In Cochin CTC dust quotation, good varieties fetched ₹108-140, mediums quoted ₹97-120 and plain stood at ₹93-101.
There was a strong demand for several varieties in orthodox leaf. The market for select high-grown brokens, whole leaf and fannings was dearer with longer margins of ₹5-10 a kg and sometimes more. Exporters especially to CIS countries were active. The quantity on offer was 135,000 kg.
With 39,000 kg on offer, the CTC leaf witnessed a good demand. Fannings was firm to dearer, while brokens was irregular and lower.
In dust varieties, Pasuparai RD fetched the best prices of ₹141, while Chamraj FOP-S (Green Tea) emerged at the top in leaf grades quoting ₹331.