Kochi tea auction continued to witness a mixed trend in the last few weeks with the prices quoting lower for almost all tea varieties.
Dust sale
In sale no. 27, the quantity on offer in the CTC dust category was 13,03,500 kg. The market was lower by Rs 1-3 and sometimes more, as the sale progressed and noticed some withdrawals. However, the drop was less for good liquoring varieties. There was a subdued demand from operators, who operated at lower levels.
Of 8,500 kg on offer in Orthodox grade, the market was lower with heavy withdrawals. Bulk of the offerings was absorbed by exporters and AVT.
In the best CTC dust, PD varieties quoted Rs 102/118, RD grades ruled at Rs 100/127, SRD fetched Rs 107/137 and SFD stood at Rs 110/150.
Leaf sale
There was only a fair demand in the leaf sale and the quantity on offer in the Orthodox grade was 140,500 kg. The market for select best Niligiri brokens and whole leaf was steady to firm and sometimes dearer. Others were irregular and tended to ease. Fannings from the same origin declined in value.
Clear black well made medium bolder brokens and tippy grades barely remained steady and tended to ease. Corresponding whole leaf was steady to dearer following quality. Medium brokens and fannings were lower and witnessed some withdrawals.
CIS countries continued to be active in the auction, while West Asia operated on whole leaf grade.
In the dust varieties, Monica SFD quoted the best prices of Rs 151 followed by Kallayar SFD at Rs 150. In the leaf grades, Chamraj OP fetched the best prices of Rs 244 followed by Goldsland (select) BPS at Rs 236.