The offerings at the Colombo Tea Auction remained static this week, totalling to 5.8 million kilogrammes. 

The better sorts continued to sell well, whilst the flowery grades met with less demand, Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said. 

The Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.85 million kilogrammes. The overall quality of the teas was maintained with a greater availability of offerings comprising of fair average quality.

A few Select Best BOPs sold around last levels, following special inquiry, whilst the others were mostly easier by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme. The corresponding well-made BOPFs declined by Rs.50-80 per kilogramme, whilst the others at the lower end declined to a lesser extent. The limited selection of the Nuwara Eliyas on offer was mostly unsold. The Uva/Uda Pussellawas – Better teas, sold around last levels, whilst the others declined by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme.      

The High and Mid Grown CTC teas – BP1s, gained up to Rs.40 per kilogramme and more, whilst the PF1s were lower by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme. The corresponding Low Grown varieties – BP1s, sold at last levels, whilst the PF1 invoices appreciated by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme and more as the sale progressed.  

The Low Growns comprised of 2.3 million kilogrammes. The Leafy, Semi-Leafy and Tippy categories met with fair demand. There was less activity from the shippers to Iran, for the flowery grades. 

In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the well-made BOP1s were firm, whilst the balance was easier. The OP1s sold around last levels. The Select Best OP/OPAs were selectively dearer, whilst the balance was firm. The well-made PEKs were firm, whilst the Below Best were easier. However, the teas at the bottom maintained around last levels. The high-priced PEK1s were selectively dearer, whilst the balance declined. 

The Select Best FBOPs were easier, whilst the Best sold around last levels. The Below Best and teas at the bottom declined. The FF1s, in general, declined.

In the Premium catalogue, the Very Tippy teas together with the Best were easier. A few clean leaf Below Best were firm, whilst the balance declined.