A mixed trend persisted in almost all tea varieties at the Kochi auction last week. While the dust category witnessed only fair demand, demand for leaf category was good.
Of the 12,35,500 kg on offer in the CTC dust grades, the market opened barely steady at Re 1 to Rs 3 lower. Prices fell to the tune of Rs 3 to Rs 5 and sometimes more as the sale progressed. However, the drop was less for PD/RD varieties.
In the orthodox dust category, 15,600 kg were offered. The primary varieties barely remained steady. Others were irregular and lower with many withdrawals. Bulk of the offerings was absorbed by exporters.
In the best CTC dusts, PD varieties were quoted at Rs 90-101, RD grades at Rs 94-105, SRD varieties ruled at Rs 95-105 and SFD grades quoted at Rs 98-108.
Of the 93,000 kg on offer in the orthodox leaf sale, Nilgiri bolder brokens, smaller brokens and whole leaf barely remained steady and tended to drop following quality. Corresponding fannings were firm to dearer.
In the CTC leaf grades, 1,41,500 kg were offered. High-priced teas were irregular and lower medium and plainer teas barely steady to sometimes dearer.
In the dust category, Injipara (Prm) SFD quoted the best price of Rs 138. In the leaf grades, Pascos Hyson Green Tea quoted the best price of Rs 301.