5.3 MnKg under hammer at this week’s Colombo Tea Auction

A total of 5.3 MnKgs came under the hammer this week at the Colombo Tea Auction, an increase from the 4.8 MnKgs total offering from the previous week.

The market continued to be buoyant, the latest report from Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said. 

Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.73 MnKgs, marginally down from a 0.78 MnKgs on offer the previous week. The quality of offerings showed no significant change, whilst the prices appreciated by Rs.100 per kg on average. 

Select Best Western BOPs appreciated Rs.40-60 per kg, whilst the others together with BOPs in the Below Best and Plainer categories gained Rs.50-100 per kg. Corresponding BOPFs gained Rs.100-150 per kg. 

Nuwara Eliyas appreciated substantially and are now realising prices in keeping with its intrinsic quality. Uda Pussellawa BOPs were irregular, whilst the Uva BOPs gained Rs.50-70 per kg. Corresponding BOPFs gained Rs.100-150 per kg.  

High and Medium PF1s met with selective interest and consequently the prices were irregular. The Low Grown varieties, which commenced firm, tend to decline as the sale progressed. 

Low Growns comprised 2.3 MnKgs in the Leafy/Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues. Market met with good demand. Well-made teas were firm, whilst the secondaries and teas at the bottom appreciated. The shippers to Iran and Russia operated aggressively. However, a slight decline in demand was witnessed from the shippers to Turkey. 

In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues, select Best BOP1/OP1s were fully firm, whilst a range of improved Below Best varieties gained. Others, where quality was not maintained, the prices were barely steady. Poorer sorts maintained.   

In the Tippy catalogues, well-made FBOP/FF1s were firm to selectively dearer, whilst the Below Best and teas at the bottom appreciated. 

In the Premium catalogues, very Tippy teas together with the Best met with good demand and were dearer. Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom too gained to a lesser extent.