Following adverse weather, the arrival of tea for Coonoor Tea Trade Association auctions has nosedived to several weeks’ low level.
For the final auction of November to be held on Thursday and Friday, a volume of 10.94 lakh kg has been catalogued, reveals an analysis of brokers’ listing.
This volume is as much as 3.86 lakh kg less than last week’s offer and as much as 6.26 lakh kg less than the offer this time last year.
Of the 10.94 lakh kg on offer, 7.65 lakh kg belongs to the leaf grades and 3.29 lakh kg belongs to the dust grades. As much as 10.22 lakh kg belongs to CTC variety and only 0.72 lakh kg, orthodox variety. In the leaf counter, only 0.40 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 7.25 lakh kg, CTC. Among the dusts, only 0.32 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 2.97 lakh kg, CTC.
Fresh tea accounts for 10.76 lakh kg while about 18,000 kg comprises teas which had remained unsold in previous auctions. Last week, in the leaf tea auction, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) and Tata Global Beverages Ltd bought good medium varieties. Duncans Tea Ltd showed interest on good medium brokens. Godfrey Philips India Ltd was selective. There was good demand from exporters for medium and plainer varieties. Internal buyers were less active.
In the dust tea auction, HUL and Tata Global bought good medium varieties. Indcoserve showed interest on medium smaller grades. Exporters preferred medium and plainer varieties. Internal buyers were fairly active. There was good demand for brighter liquoring teas from upcountry buyers.