Low volumes take Coonoor tea prices up

Coonoor : Prices rose on an average of Rs 3 a kg at the auctions of the Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) here on Saturday when the demand strengthened to absorb the low offer at high bids.

The volume of 11.24 lakh kg offered was the lowest of the last seven weeks even as the demand was competitive due to the Diwali festival in the North Indian States.

Buyers from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh picked up quality teas.

Strong demand prevailed for categories of orthodox teas.

Brokens

"Leafy brokens fetched an additional Rs 2 to 3 a kg. Smaller brokens and fannings among the CTC leaf grades were dearer by Rs 1 to 2. Bolder CTC dust teas sold higher by Rs 1 to 2 a kg,” an auctioneer told Business Line.

But, primary orthodox dust grades lost Rs 3 to 4 a kg.

Export segment

On the export front, Pakistan reduced its purchases as the exporters showed reservation in the context of the political uncertainty.

CIS picked up bolder varieties for up to Rs 38 a kg, but most purchases were for the plainer grades at Rs 33.

Egypt bought well made fannings for Rs 40.

Poland shippers showed interest for some bolder brokens.

Leaf factories

Among the CTC teas from bought-leaf factories, Homedale Estate RD grade sold by Global Tea Brokers got the highest price of Rs 92 a kg.

This is the second highest price for the factory so far in 2007, the highest being Rs 93 in August.

Darmona Estate got Rs 85, Vigneshwar Estate Rs 80 and Hittakkal Estate Rs 78.

Among the orthodox teas from the corporate sector, Kodanaad and Corsley got Rs 108, Kairbetta Rs 106, Prammas Rs 105, and Curzon Rs 102.

Bid range

Quotations held by the brokers indicated bids ranging from Rs 32 to 35 a kg for the plain dust grades and Rs 60 to 80 for the brighter liquoring teas.

They ranged Rs 30 to 31 for the plain leaf grades and Rs 55 to 67 for the brighter liquoring teas.

Source: Sify

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Sabari tea sales go up

KOCHI: Sales of the Sabari brand of tea from the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (Supplyco) went up 18.34 per cent during the first half of the current year in comparison with the same period last year.

During the first six months of the year, Sabari brand tea sales stood at 1,711.29 tonnes, a 240 tonnes increase over the first half of last year. The demand for Sabari brand of tea has been boosted by sustained quality and a competitive price, said a press release from Supplyco here. The Corporation expects to sell a total of 3,165 tonnes of tea under the Sabari brand during the current financial year. The tea division of the Corporation has been earning a profit of Rs. 4 crore.

There will be new variants of Sabari tea in December with the Corporation planning to launch Sabari Extra Fresh next month. The new variant will come in duplex cartons in 250 gram packs. Sabari brand is also planning to target the customers who look for premium quality tea, said the release.

Source: The Hindu

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Kolkata tea prices firm

Kolkata : Last week, CTC teas at the North Indian tea auction centres at Kolkata, Siliguri and Guwahati met with very good demand and sold at all round fully firm to dearer rates with active support from the blenders and domestic buyers, according to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, tea auctioneers.

Orthodox varieties also saw a good demand. The whole leaf grades and fannings held levels while brokens recorded a slight easing. The CIS and West Asia continued to be the main operators.

Darjeeling teas witnessed better all round enquiry and sold readily at firm levels. The blenders lent good support with selective enquiry on better sorts. The local dealers were active.

Weather conditions were seasonal and crop intakes normalised during the week.

International
In Colombo, Sri Lankan teas, after having witnessed a continuous appreciation for several weeks, recorded a slight decline following an easing in demand.

Kenyan teas at Mombasa auction saw improved demand at generally firm to dearer rates, following strong enquiry from Egypt, Pakistan and West Asia.

Source: Sify

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