Colombo Tea Auction sees less demand and irregular trend in prices this week

The overall auction offerings increased this week and totalled 6.2 million kilogrammes, from 5.8 million kilogrammes the previous week. 
There was less demand and an irregular trend in the prices.  
The Ex-Estate offerings too recorded an increase over last and totalled 0.88 million kilogrammes. There was improved activity for the better teas and less demand for the others.  
The Best Western BOP/BOPFs appreciated by Rs.50 per kilogramme and more, whilst the others were irregular and often easier. In the Below Best category, a selection of coloury BOP/BOPFs sold around last week’s levels, whilst the others declined and were often up to Rs.50 per kg lower. At the lower end, the clean leaf BOPs were firm, whilst the others declined by up to Rs.50 per kilogramme. The corresponding BOPFs, the clean leaf sorts, were firm and Rs.20 per kilogramme easier, whilst the others declined further. 
The Nuwara Eliya had hardly any offerings of BOP/BOPFs. The Uda Pussellawa BOPs were barely steady, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were up to Rs.50 per kilogramme lower. The Uva BOPs declined by up to Rs.100 per kilogramme and more, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were firm and up to Rs.50 per kilogramme lower. 

The High and Mid Grown CTC teas – BP1s, were irregular. The PF1s – Better sorts, were Rs.50 per kilogramme easier, whilst the others were irregular and barely steady. The corresponding Low Grown types – BP1s, were substantially easier, whilst the PF1s declined by Rs.50 per kilogramme on average. 
The Low Growns comprised of 2.8 million kilogrammes. The Semi-Leafy category met with fair demand, whilst the Tippy category met with good demand. However, the Leafy category met with less demand.  
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the well-made BOP1s were firm to marginally easier, whilst the balance declined. The Select Best OP1s were substantially lower, whilst the Best and Below Best were firm. The teas at the bottom declined. The OP/OPAs, in general, were lower. The PEKs together with the well-made PEK1s were firm, whilst the balance was easier.
In the Tippy catalogues, the FBOPs in general were firm, whilst the well-made FF1s together with the clean leaf Below Best and clean leaf teas at the bottom appreciated. The balance was easier, following quality. 
In the Premium catalogues, the Very Tippy teas were firm, whilst the Best and Below Best too followed a similar trend. The balance was easier, following quality. The well-made FF1s together with the Below Best and clean leaf teas at the bottom appreciated, whilst the balance was easier, following quality.