Prices at the Kochi tea auction continued to decline for the second consecutive week. In sale no 46, the quantity on offer in the dust CTC category was 12,75,500 kg.
With fair demand, the market opened Rs 3 to Rs 5 lower. The decline was to the tune of Rs 5 to Rs 10 as the sale progressed.
However, the decline in prices was less for the teas which came under the selection of AVT. There was a subdued demand from exporters and upcountry buyers.
In the orthodox grades, arrivals were low and the quantity on offer was 13,500 kg. The market was irregular and lower by Rs 3 to Rs 5. A small quantity on offer was absorbed by exporters.
In the best CTC dusts, PD varieties quoted Rs 95/112, RD grades fetched Rs 100/133, SRD ruled at Rs 110/143 and SFD stood at Rs 110/152.
The leaf sale witnessed a mixed trend and the quantity on offer in the orthodox grades was 163,000 kg.
The market for select best Nilgiri brokens, whole leaf and fannings was fully firm to dearer. Others were irregular and lower.
Medium clean black well-made bolder brokens, tippy grades, whole leaf was steady to firm. The remainder sold at irregular levels.
The quantity on offer in the CTC leaf was 74,000 kg. The market for good liquoring teas was barely steady. Others were irregular and lower and witnessed some withdrawals. Upcountry buyers were fairly active.
In the dust category, Manjolai SFD fetched the best price of Rs 158 followed by Manjolai FD at Rs 157. In the varieties, Chamraj FOP – (S) (Green tea) quoted the best price of Rs 305 followed by Chamraj FBOP (S) at Rs 266.