Offerings at Colombo Tea Auction see marginal dips this week

This week’s offerings at the Colombo Tea Auction were marginally low when compared with the quantities of last week. 

A total of 5.1 MnKgs came under the hammer, where the Low Grown/Large Leaf teas were met with good demand.
The High and Mid Grown Small Leaf teas met with good general demand, though mostly at easier rates. 

The Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.68 MnKgs. The overall quality of the teas on offer was generally maintained, with a limited selection of seasonal Uvas on offer.

After several weeks of spiralling prices, the market took a correction with the teas in the higher price bracket losing out up to Rs.200 per kg, the latest tea auction data by Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said.

In the Below Best category, BOPs declined Rs.50 per kg and more, whilst the corresponding BOPFs eased up to Rs.100 per kg. At the lower end, BOPs eased up to Rs.100 per kg, whilst the corresponding BOPFs declined Rs.100-150 per kg. Nuwara Eliyas were barely maintained. Uda Pussellawa BOP/BOPFs declined by Rs.50 per kg and up to Rs.150 per kg, respectively. Uvas – seasonal teas were irregular and the pricing for these teas was somewhat disappointing. The non-seasonal Uva BOPs declined Rs.20-40 per kg, whilst the corresponding BOPFs eased up to Rs.100-150 per kg. 

High and Medium Grown CTCs – BP1s, which were limited on offer, gained Rs.50-100 per kg and more for select invoices.  The Off Grades and Dust varieties too and particularly the liquoring types declined in value at times substantially. Amidst this trend, an invoice of Great Western Estate Dust1 recorded an all-time record price of Rs.2,650 per kg.    

Low Growns comprised of 2.2 MnKgs in the Leafy/Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues. There was improved demand overall. In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues, select Best OP1/BOP1s were fully firm to selectively dearer, whilst the Best and Below Best sorts, though irregular, were firm. 

 In the Tippy catalogues, the well-made FBOPs were firm, whilst the cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom appreciated. The balance was sold around last levels. 

In the Premium catalogues, very Tippy teas continued to attract good demand and were dearer. Best and cleaner Below Best too appreciated, whilst the balance was irregular, following quality.