Date:27/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/06/27/stories/2006062702840800.htm

Back Coonoor tea prices rise on export support

P.S. Sundar

Coonoor , June 26

With the expected demand forthcoming from the exporters, buoyancy was witnessed at the auctions of the Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) here. In general, prices rose Rs 3 a kg, but specific lots saw higher increases even up to Rs 10 over the previous week.

Although the volume was some 86,000 kg more than the previous week, prices rose because of supportive bids from Pakistan and Iraq.

CIS buyers selective

Iraq bought BOP and BOPS grades paying up to Rs 43 a kg. The exporters for CIS markets were selective.

SSK Exports, Ambo Exports and Girnar Exports besides Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) were active purchasers.

In all, some 8,000 kg would have fetched more than Rs 60 a kg. Among the CTC teas from bought-leaf factories, Darmona Estate got the highest price of Rs 81.33 followed by Highfield Estate Special Rs 75.63, Kannavarai Estate Rs 73.10 and Hittakkal Estate Rs 71.63.

Among the orthodox teas from corporate sector, Corsely got the highest price of Rs 132 a kg, followed by Curzon Rs 128, Glendale Rs 119, Kodanaad Rs 117, Prammas Rs 115, Kairabetta Rs 114.03, Colacumby Rs 109, Craigmore Rs 104, Havukkal Rs 103 and Chamraj Rs 100.

Quotations held by the brokers indicated bids ranging from Rs 38 to 41 a kg for the plain leaf grades and Rs 62-68 for the brighter liquoring grades. For the plain dusts, the bids ranged from Rs 40 to 42, while for the brighter liquoring dusts, they ranged Rs 65-72.