Date:03/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/03/stories/2004080300831200.htm

Back Coonoor tea prices up on competitive bidding

P.S. Sundar

Coonoor , Aug. 2

WITH the upcountry traders stepping up their purchases at the Coonoor auctions on Sunday to cover up the short supplies arising from floods in Assam, the market sported one of the highest increases in prices of the recent times.

Buyers for the Russian market had bid for Rs 42 a kg.and for other CIS markets at Rs 38 to Rs 42. Poland buyers picked up teas at Rs 37 and West Asian buyers paid Rs 36.

Hindustan Lever Ltd bought for the Kenyan market at Rs 45.

On an average, every kg gained Rs 5. Among the CTC bought leaf factories, some grades of Darmona Estate were sold for Rs 74 a kg — the highest. Hittakkal Estate fetched Rs 67 while Shri Ram Supreme got Rs 66.

"Orange Pekoes were Rs 5 a kg dearer. The bolder orthodox best Nilgiri brokens got up to Rs 6 more than last week. Other Nilgiris brokens were higher by Rs 3. Fannings fetched Rs 8 a kg more. Bright liquoring CTC brokens and clean black brokens were up by Rs 4. The fanning grades among them got Rs 3 more. The plainer CTC brokens and fannings were dearer by Rs 4", noted the market report of the Joint Brokers.

The best high grown BOP dusts were dearer by Rs 15 a kg. Other orthodox dusts were up by Rs 3. On an average, plain dust grades got Rs 35 a kg, while the better ones Rs 44. Plain leaf grades got Rs 34, while the better ones Rs 50.