Active participation of both Kerala buyers and regional blenders lifted the prices of good liquoring teas at Kochi auction this week.

The quantity on offer in CTC dust was 11,42,000 kg and the market for good liquoring was steady to firm and sometimes dearer in sale no 24. However, others were lower by ₹5 to ₹7 and sometimes more. Browner medium and plainer teas were lower and faced some difficulties for sale. It also witnessed heavy withdrawals.

The market for orthodox dust barely remained steady and tended to ease. The quantity on offer was 15,000 kg and exporters continued to be the mainstay, auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis said.

In Cochin CTC dust quotation, good varieties fetched ₹107-146, mediums realised ₹81-122 and plain grades stood at ₹70-85.

In leaf category, the market for select best Nilgiri brokens, whole leaf in orthodox grades was steady to firm and sometimes dearer. The quantity on offer was 2,06,000 kg.

However, the demand was less for CTC leaf with market for good liquoring bolder brokens barely remaining steady. The quantity on offer was 61,500 kg. Kerala and upcountry buyers were selective.

In dust varieties, Venniar SFD came to the top quoting ₹150 followed by Monica SFD at ₹147. In leaf grades, Chamraj FOP-S (Green Tea) fetched the best prices of ₹406 followed by both Chamraj FOP and P's Woodlands Hyson (Green Tea) at ₹300.