Colombo Tea Auction’s 30th sale for the year sees significantly low quantities

 The 30th sale of the Colombo Tea Auction for 2022, that was held this week saw 5.2 MnKgs come under the hammer, a quantity which is significantly lower compared to the regular offerings of around 6.0 MnKgs to 6.5 MnKgs during this time of the year. 

However, the offering was met with good demand, Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said. Ex-Estate offerings which comprised of 0.5 MnKgs met with excellent demand in the backdrop of its very limited availability. Best Western BOP’s gained up to Rs. 200 per kg, whilst the corresponding BOPF’s which were initially Rs. 50-100 per kg dearer appreciated further recording price gains of up to Rs. 200 per kg. 

In the Below Best and Plainer categories, BOP’s were irregular and Rs. 50-70 per kg dearer in most instances, whilst the corresponding BOPF’s which were initially Rs. 50 per kg dearer gained further as the sale progressed and appreciated Rs. 100 per kg and more. 

Nuwara Eliya – BOP’s mostly sold around last, whilst the corresponding BOPF’s were up to Rs. 100 per kg dearer. Uda Pussellawa BOP’s were firm and up to Rs. 50 per kg dearer, whilst the corresponding BOPF’s gained up to Rs. 200 per kg. Uva – Seasonal BOP/BOPF’s appreciated Rs. 300-500 per kg, whilst the other BOP/BOPF’s were Rs. 200 per kg dearer. 

High and Medium Grown CTC – BP1’s were irregular. PF1’s gained up to Rs. 200 per kg in most instances, whilst a few select Mid Grown types appreciated even further. Low Grown varieties – BP1’s gained Rs. 100 per kg and more for a few select invoices, whilst the PF1’s continued to sell at attractive price levels with most teas selling between Rs. 2,500- 3,200 per kg. “The significant upward movement in prices whilst encouraging, results in a very minimal price variance between the better teas and their poorer counterparts. This trend would be concerning for producers of good quality teas though unavoidable in circumstances of extremely low availability,” Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said in their latest Tea Auction report. Meanwhile, Low Growns comprised of 2.2 MnKgs in the Leafy/Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues. There was fair demand. Well-made teas were firm to easier, whilst a few cleaner Below Best varieties together with cleaner teas at the bottom were firm. Balance were easier following quality.

In the Leafy & Semi Leafy catalogues, select best BOP1/OP1’s declined, whilst a range of improved Below Best varieties maintained. Others and poorer sorts too were fully firm. Well-made OP/OPA’s in general were fully firm, whilst the others and poorer sorts met with improved demand. Select Best PEK/PEK1’s were barely steady, whilst the others and poorer sorts maintained. In the Tippy catalogues, well-made FBOP’s were easier, while in the Premium catalogues, very Tippy teas continued to attract good demand. Best and cleaner Below Best sold around last levels, whilst the balance was irregular following quality.