This week, only lesser number of marks could enter the high-price bracket of Rs 100 and more a kg at the auctions of Coonoor Tea Trade Association compared to last week.
Only 25 marks of orthodox teas fetched Rs 100 and more against 29 last week and 27 a fortnight ago.
Among CTC teas, only 109 earned Rs 100 and more against Rs 136 last week and 110 a fortnight ago. Of them, Homedale Estate tea, auctioned by Global Tea Brokers, topped the CTC market when Vishal Marketing Co bought its Red Dust grade for Rs 167 a kg.
Vigneshwar Estate got Rs 142, Deepika Supreme and Hittakkal Estate Rs 141 each, Shanthi Supreme and Blue Mont speciality Rs 138 each.
The share of high-priced teas in auction volume offered was less. For that matter, the volume of 10.19 lakh kg itself was the lowest of the last 14 weeks. The demand for high-priced teas was inadequate reducing the bids.
“Orthodox whole leaf grades eased Rs 2-3 a kg due to inadequate demand. Many invoice of high-priced CTC leaf could not be sold despite shedding prices by Rs 2-4. Orthodox dust market was easier by Rs 2-3. However, some high-priced CTC dusts managed to fetch Rs 2-3 more,” an auctioneer told Business Line.