Korakundah organic hand-rolled speciality orthodox tea fetched a record ₹2,500 a kg at Kochi auctions last week.

This is the highest price realised this year in south Indian auctions.

The tea produced by Korakundah Estate (100 per cent organic) is owned by United Nilgiri Tea Estates in the Nilgiris.

It is one of the rarest and most prestigious hand-made limited edition teas, grown at an elevation of 8,000 ft above sea level. Fine quality teas are selected from very special bushes, auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis said.

Meanwhile, the trend at the Kochi auctions was mixed with prices and arrivals being lower. In sale no 15, the quantity on offer in CTC dust was 10,06,500 kg.

With 90 per cent getting sold, the market for good liquoring and teas which came under the selection of major blenders were dearer by ₹2-5 a kg and more.

However, the increase in prices was less for medium and plainer varieties particularly bolder grades, the auctioneers said.

In CTC orthodox, arrivals were low at 6,500 kg besides demand being low and many withdrawals.

Exporters absorbed a small quantity.

In Cochin CTC dust, good grades fetched ₹90-148, mediums quoted ₹74-120 and plain varieties stood at ₹60-73.

There was only a fair demand for orthodox leaf and quantity on offer was 86,000 kg. The market for select best Nilgiri brokens, whole leaf was firm to dearer.

In CTC leaf, the quantity on offer was 72,000 kg and 70 per cent got sold.

The market for clean black well made fannings was firm to dearer, while brokens were irregular and lower.

In the dust category, Waterfall (Prm) SFD quoted the best prices of ₹149 followed by both Kallyar SFD/Mayura SFD at ₹147 each. In leaf varieties, Parkside OP (S) fetched the best prices of ₹336 followed by both Chamraj FOP (Sup) Green tea and Kodanaad TGFOP at ₹335.

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