Coffee buying selective at ICTA auction

The Indian Coffee Trade Association coffee auction held on Thursday saw selective enquiries from domestic buyers. Besides, prices mostly did not touch high levels.According to auctioners Carritt Moran & Company, growers asking for last week's price levels saw selective buying with domestic rosters procuring for their immediate needs.

As a result of the flooding of coffee-growing areas in the US by the recent hurricanes, there has been concern of reduction in Central American crops this season. As a result, Nybot-certified stocks are declining ahead of winter demand.As for Brazilian groves, they have entered the critical flowering period for the 2006-07 crops.

The 278 metric tonne offered for sale (last week 396 tonne) comprised 176 tonne Arabica (last week 228 tonne) and 102 tonne Robusta (last week 168 tonnes). Of sale offering, 97 tonne was sold (last week 196 tonne).

Following are the prices quoted for grades in Rs per 50 kg.

Arabica variaties: Arabica Parchment PB Rs 4,626 (quantity sold 13,513 kg). Arabica Parchment AA Rs 4,962 (1,437 kg), Arabica Parchment A Rs 4,889 (4,537 kg), Arabica Parchment B Rs 4,216 (1,596 kg), Arabica Parchment C Rs 4,016 (3,544 kg), Arabica Parchment BBB Rs 3,529 (829 kg), Arabica Cherry PB Rs 3,500 (4,515 kg), Arabica Cherry C Rs 2,800 (3,000 kg).Robusta variaties: Robusta Parchment PB Rs 2,750 (5,300 kg), Robusta Parchment AA Rs 3,050 (5,000 kg), Robusta Cherry AA Rs 2,838 (2,283 kg), Robusta Cherry C Rs 2,376 (20,540 kg), Robusta Cherry BBB Rs 2,202 (5,884 kg).