Festival season and less export demand have hit tea prices in Coonoor auctions with the oveall market down by ₹1-2 per kg.
Traders said that blenders lent support, whole leaf and plainer varieties remained firm. Small tea growers have indicated that tea arrivals at upcoming auctions are expected to decline during Pongal and the subsequent local holidays due to reduced plucking activity in production centres during the festive season.
Global Tea Auctioneer said the offered quantity in leaf category in sale 3 was 14,83,438 kg, with a sales percentage of 85 per cent, while the quantity offered in dust was: 3,98,032 kg, witnessing a 61 per cent sales.
The high-priced teas in CTC leaf sold dearer by ₹3-4 and more times in line with quality. The better liquoring sorts were lower by ₹1-2 with some withdrawals. The better medium sorts were lower by ₹1-2. The primary whole leaf grades had fair demand and sold dearer by ₹5-6 and more at times. The primary brokens were steady to dearer by ₹2-3 a kg.
The high-priced and better liquoring sorts in dust CTC were lower by ₹5-6. The better medium sorts had less demand and sold easier by ₹3-4 a kg and more at times with fair withdrawals. Generally a less demand was noticed in the overall dust sale.
The primary orthodox dust grades were lower by ₹4-5 and more at times, occasionally some quality lots sold dearer by ₹5-6 a kg.