Colombo Tea Auction offering totals 5.5 MnKgs this week

The offering at the Colombo Tea Auction remained around last and totalled 5.5 million kilogrammes and the overall demand for the Low Grown/Large Leaf teas showed a slight improvement, following the improved activity, Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said.  
The Ex-Estate offerings declined quite sharply and totalled 0.68 million kilogrammes, down from 0.8 million kilogrammes on offer the previous week. The overall quality of teas showed no significant change.  

Improved demand for select invoices in the Best Western category was seen. Also, the final offerings of seasonal teas from the Eastern sector continued to witness some useful support and fairly attractive prices were recorded with price variances often reflective of quality. The teas in the middle price bracket, both from the Western and Eastern sector, tend to ease off by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme, particularly for the BOPF grade.    
The High and Medium Grown CTC teas continued to witness a bearish sentiment with the prices often firm to easier on last. The corresponding Low Grown varieties sold firm to dearer, whilst the PF1 grade in particular continued to sell between Rs.1,450-1,550 per kilogramme levels (approximately US $ 5).    
The better liquoring teas continued to receive support from the UK, Japan and the continent, whilst the shippers to the CIS continued to be active on a wide cross-section of the teas. 
The Low Growns comprised of 2.5 million kilogrammes. The Leafy, Semi-Leafy and Tippy categories met with fair demand.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the well-made BOP1s were firm, whilst the balance together with the bolder varieties was irregularly lower. The Select Best and Best OP1s were dearer, whilst the Below Best and poorer sorts were fully firm. The well-made OP/OPAs appreciated, whilst the Below Best varieties declined. The teas at the bottom were firm. The Select Best and Best PEK/PEK1s were dearer, whilst the balance sold around last levels.

The well-made FBOPs together with the cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom were firm, whilst the balance was easier, following quality. The Select Best and Best FF1s were firm to easier. However, the cleaner Below Best were firm, whilst the balance was irregular, following quality.
In the Premium catalogue, the Very Tippy teas together with the Best and cleaner Below Best appreciated, whilst the balance was easier, following quality.