A mixed trend persisted for almost all varieties of tea at Kochi auction last week. Of the quantity of 9,92,000 kg on offer in the dust category, the demand for grainer varieties was better, while it was fair for powdery varieties.

Clean, black, well-made PD, RD, SRD grades were dearer by Rs 2-3 and sometimes more following quality. Medium and Plainer varieties were fully firm to dearer by Re 1 to Rs 3.

The quantity on offer in Orthodox dust was 9,500 kg and it was dearer by Rs 2-3. Most of the offerings were absorbed by exporters and upcountry buyers.

In the best CTC dusts, PD grades quoted at Rs 98/109, RD varieties quoted at Rs 100/107, SRD at Rs 102/110 and SFD quoted at Rs 101/110.

The demand for Orthodox leaf sale was only better and the quantity on offer was 1,32,000 kg. The quantity on offer in the CTC leaf category was 90,500 kg and the demand was good.

In the dust category, Injipara (Prm) SRD quoted the best prices of Rs 140, followed by Injipara (Prm) SFD at Rs 136. In the leaf varieties, Pascos Hyson Green Tea quoted Rs 300 followed by Chamraj FOP Green Tea at Rs 276.

sajeevkumar.v@thehindu.co.in