Colombo Tea Auction sees offering cross 6 MnKgs after 5 months

The total auction offerings crossed the 6.0 million kilogramme mark, after a lapse of five months (Sale No. 22 of 4/June 5, 2024). 

The weak market sentiment continued amidst a selection of well-made/good quality teas continuing to realise a premium price.  

The Ex-Estate offerings comprised of 0.8 million kilogrammes. The overall quality of tea showed no significant change, with a higher availability of teas of fair average quality.   

The Best Western BOP/BOPFs – A small selection of teas, were firm and dearer, following special inquiry, whilst the others declined by up to Rs.50 per kilogramme, often following quality. 

In the Below Best category, the BOPs were firm and Rs.20-40 per kilogramme easier. The corresponding BOPFs had on offer a small selection that maintained quality and sold around last week’s levels, whilst the others declined by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme.  At the lower end, the BOPs were irregular, whilst the corresponding BOPFs declined by Rs.20 per kilogramme and more for the Plainer teas. The Nuwara Eliyas were irregular, following quality. 

The Uda Pussellawa BOPs were barely steady. The corresponding BOPFs declined by Rs.20 per kilogramme and more, whilst continuing to realise the prices at the lower end of the market. The Uva – Select BOP/BOPFs, sold well, whilst the others were irregular and often easier, following lower quality.   

The High and Medium Grown CTC – BP1s, were firm and dearer, whilst the others were irregular.  The PF1s declined by Rs.50 per kilogramme and more, in most instances. The corresponding Low Grown types, the BP1s, were mostly unsold, whilst the PF1s were generally firm. 

Less activity from the shippers to the UK, the continent and South Africa was seen. Selective buying from the shippers to Japan and perhaps China was seen, whilst the shippers to the CIS continued to be active at lower levels. The Low Growns comprised of 2.5 million kilogrammes. All categories met with fair demand.

In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the well-made BOP1s together with the teas at the bottom were firm, whilst the balance declined substantially and at times were unsellable, due to lack of suitable bids. The high-priced OP1s sold around last levels, whilst the balance was easier. 

The well-made OPs were firm, whilst the balance was lower. The Select Best and Best OPAs were easier, whilst the balance sold around last levels. The Select Best PEKs were firm, whilst the balance declined. The PEK1s, in general, were firm.

A few Select Best FBOPs were firm, whilst the balance together with the bolder varieties declined. However, a few cleaner teas at the bottom sold around last levels, whilst the others were easier. The Select Best FF1s were firm to easier, whilst the Best and Below Best declined. A few cleaner Below Best sold around last levels, whilst the balance was easier. In the Premium catalogue, the Very Tippy teas were firm. The Best together with the cleaner Below Best and the cleaner teas at the bottom were firm to dearer, whilst the balance was irregular, following quality.