Date:27/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/27/stories/2006032701650500.htm

Back Iraq buy props up Coonoor tea price

P.S. Sundar

Coonoor , March 26

Active purchases by Iraq helped to prevent further decline in prices at the Coonoor tea auctions here this week even as Pakistan refrained from impacting the market. The vacuum created by Pakistan was partially filled by Iraq, which showed active interest to pick up medium and plainer grades. The exporters paid around Rs 42 a kg.

Hindustan Lever Ltd and Duncans supported brighter liquoring teas. Madhu Jayanthi picked up flavoury orthodox dusts, while JV Gokal was active on orthodox leaf.

Quotations held by the brokers indicated bids from Rs 37 to Rs 39 a kg for the plain leaf grades and Rs 62 to Rs 69 for the brighter liquoring grades. The bids ranged Rs 37 to Rs 39 for the plain dust grades and Rs 63 to Rs 67 for the brighter liquoring grades. Among the CTC leaf, Darmona Estate topped at Rs 80 a kg, followed by Highfield Estate Special Rs 77, Homedale Estate Rs 74.02, Vigneshwar Estate Rs 71.12 and Garswood Estate clonal Rs 71.01.

Curzon got the highest price of Rs 135 a kg for orthodox, followed by Tiger Hill Rs 123.49, Prammas Rs 123.08, Mailoor Rs 117.39, Kairabetta Rs 114.28, Colacumby Rs 113.49, Havukkal Rs 112, Chamraj Rs 105 and Glendale and Kodanaad Rs 100.