With the onset of the summer season, arrivals have plunged at the Kochi Tea Auction Centre. Arrivals plunged to 8.83 lakh kg at the dust auction and to 1.3 lakh tonnes at the leaf auction. Good CTC dust teas continued to witness a firm trend. The firm prices were more in evidence for good liquoring medium grades. Plain grades ruled at last week's levels.

Good liquoring grades were supported by companies like AVT, Tata Global, Vimal Tea and Hindustan Unilever. Fair amount of support was also extended by loose tea traders. Upcountry buyers as well as exporters also extended support.

Primary grades remained steady at the orthodox dust auction. Most other orthodox dust quoted lower and there were some withdrawals. Bulk of the offerings was absorbed by upcountry buyers.

Leaf Auction

Select high grown orthodox leaf grades were firm to dearer. Prices of most other grades tended to ease. Medium grades of all varieties remained firm to dearer as buyers pursued quality.

Traditional exporters, especially those to CIS countries, were active and pursued small lots. Exporters to Tunisia remained selective.

Good liquoring grades were firm to dearer at the CTC leaf auction while most other grades quoted lower. Internal and upcountry buyers were active on good liquoring CTC leaf grades. Some exporters operated at lower levels. HUL remained selective.

Top Prices

Injipara RD fetched the top price at the dust auction at Rs 143 followed by Injipara SRD at Rs 140, Injipara SFD at Rs 136 and Pasuparai SFD at Rs 130. At the leaf auction Havukal FOP quoted the top price at Rs 303 followed by Chamraj OP at Rs 300, Tiger Hill FP at Rs 296 and Sutton OP at Rs 295.

cj@thehindu.co.in

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