Colombo Tea Auction offering increases to 5.2 MnKgs this week

The overall offerings at the Colombo Tea Auction increased to 5.2 million kilogrammes, from the previous week’s 4.6 million kilogrammes. 

The Low Grown/Leafy teas met with improved demand and a firm to dearer trend in prices, whilst the High and Mid Grown Small Leaf types were irregularly easier, Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said.

The Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.73 million kilogrammes, from 0.66 million kilogrammes the previous week. The quality of teas, particularly from the Western Region, showed a general decline, whilst the offerings from the other regions were fairly similar to last. 

Consequent to the seasonal buying coming to an end, majority of the Better Western BOP/BOPFs witnessed a sharp decline in prices of Rs.100 per kilogramme and more for select high-priced teas. In the Below Best category, few select BOPs were firm and dearer, following special inquiry, whilst the others were barely steady. The BOPs at the lower end of the market declined by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme. The corresponding BOPFs, where quality was maintained, the prices were generally firm, whilst the others, together with the Plainer sorts, declined by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme and more. 

The Nuwara Eliyas continued to sell reasonably well. The Uda Pussellawa BOPs were irregular and easier, following quality, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were firm and Rs.20 per kilogramme easier. The Uva BOP/BOPFs declined by up to Rs.100 per kilogramme and more. 

The High and Medium Grown CTCs – BP1s, continued to be limited on offer and consequently, the prices were irregular. The Better PF1s and where quality was maintained, the prices were around last week’s levels, whilst the others were irregular and easier. The corresponding Low Grown varieties - BP1s, were firm and tended dearer, whilst the PF1s were firm around last levels. 

There was less activity from the shippers to the UK, Japan and the continent and selective buying from the shippers to China and South Africa, whilst the shippers to the CIS were reasonably active at lower levels.    
The Low Growns comprised of 2.07 million kilogrammes and all categories met with fair demand. 

In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the well-made BOP1s were firm to dearer, whilst the balance sold around last levels. The Select Best and Best OP1s appreciated, whilst the balance eased. The OP/OPAs, in general, were firm to dearer. The well-made PEK/PEK1s appreciated, whilst the balance was firm on last levels. 
In the Tippy catalogues, the FBOPs were firm, whilst the Below Best together with the bolder varieties appreciated. The balance was firm on last levels. The well-made FF1s, together with the clean leaf Below Best, appreciated, whilst the balance was easier following quality.

In the Premium catalogues, the Very Tippy teas met with good demand and were firm. The Best and Below Best were sold around last levels, whilst the leafier varieties appreciated.