Tea prices increased by 1.89 per cent in the first 10 months of current calendar over last year in the different auction centres in the country, reveals an analysis of the latest Market Reports and data available with Tea Board.

Between January and October, auction prices averaged Rs 103.63 a kg against Rs 101.71 last year. This gain of Rs 1.92 marked a growth of 1.89 per cent. All auction centres posted gains from 11 paise a kg to Rs 3.69.

North Indian prices averaged Rs 118.20 against Rs 117.68. Kolkata continued to post the country's highest price average of Rs 130.82 (last year: Rs 130.71). Guwahati prices were the second highest at Rs 110.71 (Rs 110.56) followed by Siliguri at Rs 104.68 (Rs 103.30).

South Indian prices averaged Rs 70.18 (Rs 66.88). Kochi not only posted South India's highest price average of Rs 80.27 (Rs 76.58) but also the country's highest gain of Rs 3.69 a kg. Coimbatore auction prices averaged Rs 66.03 (Rs 62.88) and Coonoor Rs 63.70 (Rs 60.35).

The Teaserve auctions posted the country's lowest price average of Rs 57.49 a kg (Rs 54.56).

comment COMMENT NOW