Fair demand at irregular rates at tea auction this week

The offerings at the Colombo Tea Auction were fairly similar to last and totalled 4.6 million kilogrammes, which met with fair demand, often at irregular rates. 
The Ex-Estate offerings too were fairly similar and totalled 0.73 million kilogrammes.
The overall quality of the teas from the Western slopes were irregularly improved, whilst the teas from most other regions were fairly similar to last. The prices for the better teas were irregular, perhaps to some extent following quality, whilst the encouraging feature was the strong demand for the teas at the lower end of the market. 
Improved activity from the shippers to South Africa was seen. Selective interest from the shippers to the UK and continent, whilst the shippers to China and the CIS continued to operate as usual. 

The Select Best Western BOPs were firm and often up to Rs.50 per kilogramme easier, whilst the others appreciated by Rs.50-100 per kilogramme, following quality. The corresponding BOPFs – Select invoices, appreciated sharply, following special inquiry, whilst the others were irregular and easier. In the Below Best category, the BOPs sold around last week’s levels. The corresponding BOPFs – Improved sorts, were firm and dearer, whilst the others were irregular and mostly easier. 
The plainer BOP/BOPFs sold around last week’s levels. The Nuwara Eliya BOPs sold around last. The corresponding BOPFs – Select invoices, appreciated, whilst the others were difficult of sale. 
The Uva/Uda Pussellawa BOPs sold around last week’s levels. The corresponding BOPFs – Uda Pussellawas, were firm and up to Rs.20 per kilogramme dearer. The Uvas - Select clean leaf teas, appreciated by up to Rs.50 per kilogramme and more, whilst the poorer sorts declined by a similar margin.    
The High and Medium Grown CTC teas were mostly firm, whilst the Low Grown varieties, particularly the PF1s, were marginally easier and more so for the poorer sorts. 

A wider selection of improved Westerns is on offer next week and the producers no doubt would eagerly look forward to being adequately compensated. 
The Low Growns comprised of 2.15 million kilogrammes. The Leafy and Semi-Leafy categories met with fair demand, whilst the Tippy category met with good demand. In the Leafy catalogues, few Select Best OP1s appreciated, whilst the balance together with the BOP1s sold around last levels. The Select Best OPAs declined, whilst the balance maintained. The OPs, in general, appreciated. The well-made PEK/PEK1s were easier, whilst the balance sold around last levels.
In the Tippy catalogues, the FBOPs were firm to dearer, whilst the bolder varieties were irregular. The well-made FF1s were firm to dearer, whilst the clean leaf Below Best and clean leaf teas at the bottom appreciated. The balance was firm.
In the Premium catalogues, the very Tippy teas met with good demand and were dearer. The Best and Below Best too appreciated, whilst the balance sold around last levels. 

Lower-priced fertilisers for tea soon

Sri Lanka would see an increase in tea output this year, as plans are afoot to provide high-quality tea fertilisers at a lower price.
Agriculture and Plantation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday said that steps are taken to allow the government-owned fertiliser companies to make available these fertilisers at a lower rate.
Accordingly, Commercial Fertiliser Company and Ceylon Fertiliser Company have initiated measures to manufacture all required tea fertilisers.
There has been a recent increase in the prices of fertilisers like T-200, T-750, U-709, U 834 and T 65, which are commonly used for tea cultivation, he said.  

Commercial Fertiliser Company and Ceylon Fertiliser Company have initiated measures to manufacture all required tea fertilisers.
“The price of these fertilisers will be set at least Rs.2000 below the market price. We believe that adhering to the government’s plan of providing fertilisers at subsidised prices will significantly contribute to enhancing tea cultivation yields,” said Amaraweera.