Average auction tea price up in 2006

[eTwat]

The average price of tea sold at auction centres in the country has gone up by around Rs 5 to Rs 62 in the first six months of this year compared to Rs 57 during the same period last year.

With the improvement in quality of tea, prices are expected to go up further in the auctions, sources in the Tea Trade Association of Coimbatore said.

As far as Coimbatore was concerned, the average price had gone up by around Rs three, registering a six per cent hike, compared to last year, they said.

The Coimbatore centre had registered nine per cent hike in the sales during 2005-06 to 18.85 million kg from 17.37 million kg sold in 2004-05, they said.