5.2 MnKgs under hammer at Colombo Tea Auction this week

A total of 5.2 MnKgs came under the hammer this week at the Colombo Tea Auction, which was a marginal increase from the 4.98 MnKgs on offer the previous week.

At the 10th sale of the year, the Large Leaf teas met with strong demand, whilst the High and Medium Grown Small Leaf types too witnessed improved demand, particularly for the teas at the lower end of the market. 

“Perhaps a reaction to the sharp depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee combined with the limited availability,” said Forbes & Walkers in its latest tea update this week.

The Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.8 MnKgs. Overall quality from the Western planting districts showed a slight decline, with fewer seasonal teas on offer. The teas from other growing districts showed no change and availability continued to be limited. 

Best Western BOPs – Select invoices and those mostly possessing an element of seasonal character gained substantially following special inquiry, whilst the others were firm and Rs.10-20 per kg easier. 
For the High and Medium Grown CTC teas the overall prices were mostly unchanged. In the Low Grown category, the PF1 grade bounced back with price gains of Rs.30-50 per kg.  

Low Growns comprised of 2.1 M/Kgs in the Leafy/Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues. There was good demand.  
In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues, Select Best BOP1/OP1s were fully firm to dearer, whilst improved/clean Below Best varieties too gained following quality. 

In the Tippy catalogues, select Best FBOPs sold around last levels, whilst the Best and cleaner Below Best together with cleaner teas at the bottom appreciated. Balance were firm on last. Well-made FF1s together with cleaner Below Best appreciated, whilst the balance sold around last levels.

In the Premium catalogues, Very Tippy teas continued to attract good demand. Best together with cleaner Below Best appreciated, whilst the balance were firm.