Colombo Tea Auction offering marginally up

The Colombo Tea Auction this week saw 4.83 million kilogrammes of tea on offer, where 2.20 million kilogrammes were Low Grown Main Grades and 1.66 million kilogrammes were High and Mid Grown Main Grades. 
The weekly report by Asia Siyaka Commodities showed that in the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues, the select best BOP1/OP1s were generally firm, whilst the best varieties maintained. However, the improved below best varieties gained substantially, following quality.
The teas at the lower end too appreciated. The select best Pekoe/Pekoe1s were fully firm to dearer, whilst the improved below best Pekoe1s appreciated. However, the corresponding Pekoes were barely steady. The teas at the lower end maintained. 
In the Small leaf catalogues, the select best FBOP/FBOPF1s were fully firm, whilst the improved below best varieties gained. The teas at the lower end too appreciated. In the Premium Flowery catalogues, the select best very tippy teas were irregular. However, the best/below best varieties appreciated. 
There was fair general demand in the Ex-Estate catalogues. The select Western BOP/BOPFs, emerging seasonal character, gained Rs.50 to Rs.100, whilst the coloury well-made below best moved up Rs.50 to Rs.80 and more; bottom were irregular tending lower.
Hardly any Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs were on offer. The well-made Udapussellawa BOPs maintained, whilst the BOPFs were dearer up to Rs.50. The others were irregular. 
The select Uva BOP/BOPFs were firm to Rs.50 dearer, whilst the others were barely steady. The Better Medium BOPs were about firm and the BOPFs were dearer up to Rs.30. The CTC BP1s were firm, whilst the CTC PF1s were firm to lower up to Rs.50. 

UK tea drinkers warned of ‘supply issues’ 

The supermarkets in the United Kingdom have warned their consumers that they have lower stocks of tea, due to supply issues.
The supply problems are believed to be linked, in part, to the disruption caused by the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which have been causing shipments to take up to two weeks longer to travel.
International media reports highlighted that Sainsbury’s is warning the shoppers that “nationwide” supply problems could lead to a shortage of black tea on the shelves of the UK supermarkets. However, the reports stated that the supermarket chains noted that the disruption to some black tea lines is temporary and the impact on consumers will be minimal, as the retailers are not expecting significant challenges.