Offering at Colombo Tea Auction further drops this week

• Quantities dropped from last week’s 5 MnKgs to 4.5 MnKgs this week

The offering at the Colombo Tea Auction further dropped this week, with only 4.5 MnKgs coming under the hammer. 

Last week, the auction quantities totalled five MnKgs. 

However, the teas on offer were met with good demand, Forbes and Walkers Tea Brokers said in its latest tea report.

The Ex-Estate offerings were limited to a 0.59 MnKgs and the quality was mostly maintained around last week’s levels.

The Better Western BOP/BOPFs appreciated Rs.100 per kg and more following quality/special inquiry. 
The improved teas in the Below Best category appreciated Rs.50-100 per kg, whilst the Plainer sorts were firm and up to Rs.50 per kg dearer. 

The limited availability of the Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs did not attract much interest, perhaps following the relatively uninteresting quality, the tea brokers said. The Uda Pussellawas were barely maintained, whilst the Uva BOP/BOPFs declined Rs.50-100 per kg and up to Rs.50 per kg, respectively. 

The CTC teas mostly sold around last week’s levels, with a stronger tendency at the lower end. 
The Off Grades and Dust varieties too were firm and dearer in most instances. 

The Low Growns comprised of 2.1 M/Kgs. The Leafy catalogues met with fair demand, whilst the Semi-Leafy, Small Leaf and Premium categories were easier. The shippers to Iran and Turkey were very selective, whilst the shippers to Russia were fairly active.

In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues, a selection of OP1/BOP1s maintained, whilst the balance was irregular. The well-made OP/OPAs too were firm, whilst the others were marginally easier. The PEK/PEK1s, in general, were easier.

In the Tippy catalogues, a selection of select Best FBOPs and bolder varieties in the Below Best categories were firm, whilst the others were easier. 

The well-made FF1s were easier, whilst a few cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom sold around last levels. The balance eased.  

In the Premium catalogues, the very Tippy teas together with the Best and Below Best were easier, whilst the teas at the bottom sold around last levels. However, a selection of leafier varieties was firm to selectively dearer.