Colombo tea auction sees improved quantities this week

The Colombo Tea Auction saw 5.5 million Kgs offered this week, which was met with good demand. 

Ex-Estate offerings comprised a similar volume to the previous and totalled 0.75 million Kgs. 

Westerns’ in the high-price bracket (BOP/BOPF) declined by up to Rs. 50 per kg on average following quality, whilst the others were irregular. 

Corresponding BOP’s in the Below Best category often tended easier, whilst the BOPF’s were often firm and selectively dearer for the better sorts. 

At the lower end of the market, clean leaf BOP’s perhaps in the backdrop of limited availability, appreciated by Rs. 50-100 per kg. Corresponding BOPF’s were firm and tended dearer. Nuwara Eliyas were firm and easier following lower quality. Uda Pussellawa BOP/BOPF’s were generally firm. Uva BOP’s declined by up to Rs. 50 per kg, whilst the corresponding BOPF’s were Rs. 20-40 per kg easier. High & Medium Grown CTC’s – BP1’s continued to realise an irregular trend in prices emanating from a combination of quality variances and selective demand. PF1’s – Better sorts commenced firm and Rs. 20 per kg dearer, though towards the latter part of the sale prices were more or less in keeping with last week’s levels. Corresponding Low Grown types declined by Rs. 20-30 per kg and more for the poorer sorts.  

Low Growns comprised of 2.46 million Kgs and Leafy, Semi-Leafy and Tippy categories met with good demand.

In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, high-priced BOP1’s were easier, whilst the balance sold around last levels. Well-made OP1’s were firm to selectively dearer, whilst the balance was firm on last. Well-made OP/OPA’s were firm to selectively dearer, whilst the balance sold around last levels. However, the small OP varieties declined. PEK’s, in general, appreciated. Select Best and Best PEK1’s appreciated, whilst the balance was firm.

In the Tippy catalogues, Select Best FBOP’s were firm to selectively dearer, whilst the balance sold around last levels. However, the bolder varieties appreciated. Select Best FF1’s were firm, whilst the balance together with the Best was easier. Clean leaf Below Best together with the clean leaf teas at the bottom were firm.

In the Premium catalogues, Very Tippy teas met with good demand and were dearer. Best and Below Best too appreciated, whilst the balance sold around last levels.