The rains in production centres have hit tea arrivals to the auction platform. | Photo Credit: JOMON PAMPAVALLEY

Active participation of CIS buyers has pushed tea prices, especially of orthodox varieties, at Kochi auctions.

There was a strong demand both for orthodox and CTC leaves with orthodox witnessing 95 per cent sales out of the offered quantity of 2,53,035 kg. In CTC leaf, the sales was 100 per cent out of the offered offerings of 30,087 kg, the auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis said.

However, some traders attributed the price rise to low offerings which reflected in the price movement. The rains in production centres have hit tea arrivals to the auction platform.

Anil George Joseph, president of Tea Trade Association of Cochin, said that the orthodox market witnessed good demand, though the trend was mixed. Whole-leaf grades were irregular and tended easier, while mid-leaf and larger brokens were firm to occasionally dearer. Other grades eased depending on quality.

Popular and good-liquoring CTC sorts were fully firm to occasionally dearer, while medium grades followed a similar trend. Well-made, blacker and plainer teas also gained value, reflecting preference for quality and stronger liquoring teas, he said.

In CTC dust, the market, the market was lower by ₹1 to ₹2, while popular marks of Keralam, especially powdery grades, appreciated in value. The offered quantity was 6,03,842 kg with 90 per cent sales.

Dust orthodox was firm to dearer with 100 per cent sales out of the offered quantity of 4,850 kg.

Published on September 25, 2026