Tea prices dip amid lower arrivals

Prices of several tea varieties declined at Kochi auctions, even as the select best liquoring teas remained steady. The prices of other varieties were lower by ₹2-4 a kg and witnessed lot of withdrawals, the auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis said. In sale no 40, the quantity on offer in CTC dust was 11,32,000 kg and leading blenders was active on good liquoring varieties along with regional blenders. Exporters confined to medium and plainer varieties, while upcountry demand was subdued. For orthodox, the demand was good and the quantity on offer was 17,500 kg. Exporters and internal buyers absorbed a small quantity of orthodox dust sold. In Cochin CTC dust quotation, good varieties fetched ₹105-149, mediums quoted ₹95-122 and plain grades stood at ₹83-95. In leaf category, the market for select best Nilgiri brokens and whole leaf was firm to dearer in orthodox grades. The quantity on offer was 247,500 kg. In CTC leaf, the quantity on offer was 56,500 kg and the market for bolder brokens was irregular and sometimes lower. Smaller brokens and Fannings was dearer. Our Bureau