The Hindu Business Line : CTC dust steady at Kochi tea sale

Weak sentiments prevailed at Kochi tea auctions where 8.81-lakh kg of dust tea were on offer. Despite good general demand, prices of CTC dust varieties remained barely steady and often eased by about a rupee.

Orthodox high grown varieties gravitated lower, while medium orthodox varieties remained steady. Exporters operated selectively in the market, while blenders and internal buyers were active on good liquoring teas.

Best CTC dust varieties realised Rs 55-67, medium CTC Rs 50-55 and below medium Rs 45-49. High grown BOPD varieties fetched Rs 112, medium BOPD Rs 50 and secondaries Rs 40-44.

Leaf sale

There was 2.59-lakh kg of leaf tea on offer at the auction. Medium orthodox fannings and brokens remained steady at last week's levels. High-grown varieties also remained steady to irregular at last week's levels. CTC varieties remained steady. Orthodox grades witnessed good demand from exporters. Smaller CTC varieties generated fair demand from exporters.

Best Nilgiri varieties quoted at Rs 70-82, medium orthodox Rs 49-64 and plain orthodox Rs 45-47. Best CTC leaf fetched Rs 50-54 while medium CTC leaf realised Rs 46-50.

Top prices

Top prices in the dust segment were realised by Kodanad BOPD at Rs 112, Pasuparai SFD Rs 93, Pasuparai FD Rs 93 and Pasuparai SD at Rs 85. In the leaf segment, Havukal BOPF fetched Rs 112, followed by Chamraj OP at Rs 107, Tiger Hill BOPF Rs 104 and Kodanad BOPF at Rs 99.