Good demand perked up prices of almost all varieties of tea at the Kochi auction. In sale no. 32, the quantity on offer in the dust CTC grades was 8,16,000 kg.
The market for good liquoring and popular marks was fully firm to dearer by Rs 3 to Rs 5 as the sale progressed. AVT stepped up its buying and prices appreciated to the tune of Rs 10 and more.
Others were irregular and sometimes dearer. Plainer and browner teas remained barely steady and tended to ease.
The arrival of orthodox grades was low and the quantity on offer was only 3,000 kg. The market was firm to dearer and exporters were the mainstay.
In the best CTC dusts, PD varieties quoted Rs 109/129, RD grades ruled Rs 127/160, SRD stood at Rs 130/167 and SFD at Rs 128/175.
However, there was a mixed trend in leaf sales. The quantity on offer in the orthodox grades was 71,500 kg. The market for select best Nilgiri was barely steady, while others were irregular and lower following quality.
Well-made clean black medium orthodox sold around last levels, while others declined in value. The corresponding fannings were dearer. Besides, there was subdued demand from exporters.
Of the 77,500 kg on offer in the CTC leaf grades, the market for good liquoring varieties was dearer. Others were irregular and lower. Plainer and browner teas found some difficulty in sale and witnessed heavy withdrawals.
Blacker and good liquoring teas were absorbed by exporters and upcountry buyers.
In the dust category, Mayura SFD and Waterfall SFD quoted the best prices of Rs 176 each, followed by Monica SFD at Rs 172. In the leaf grades, Pascoes Hyson Green Tea fetched the best price of Rs 301 followed by Chamraj OP at Rs 266.