Smaller volumes at Colombo Tea Auction this week

The Colombo Tea Auction saw a relatively smaller volume of 5.3 million kilogrammes on offer this week, compared to the 6.2 million kilogrammes the previous week. 
“A reasonably stable market for the time of the year, perhaps emanating from the lower volumes and a more stable currency,” Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said.

The Ex-Estate offerings were marginally lower to last and totalled 0.83 million kilogrammes. There was improved demand.  
A selection of the Best Western BOP/BOPFs appreciated by Rs.50-100 per kilogramme, following special inquiry, whilst the others were mostly firm. In the Below Best category, a selection of coloury BOPs gained by Rs.50 per kilogramme and more. The corresponding BOPFs appreciated by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme, whilst the others sold mostly firm. At the lower end of the market, the clean leaf BOPs were irregular, whilst the others continued to sell around last week’s levels. 
The corresponding BOPFs gained by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme and more. The Nuwara Eliyas were mostly unsold. The Uda Pussellawa BOP/BOPFs sold around last week’s levels. The Uva BOPs were firm and Rs.20-40 per kilogramme dearer. The corresponding BOPFs – Select invoices, were substantially dearer, whilst the others were firm to marginally dearer.   
The High and Mid Grown CTC teas – BP1s, were limited in availability and witnessed an irregular trend in prices. The PF1s – Better sorts, were Rs.20-40 per kilogramme lower, whilst the others together with the Low Grown types were mostly firm. 
Improved activity from the shippers to the CIS was seen, whilst the shippers to the UK, Japan and South Africa too were fairly active. 
The Low Growns comprised of 2.25 million kilogrammes. The Leafy category met with less demand, whilst the Semi-Leafy category met with fair demand. However, the Tippy category met with good demand. There was improved activity from the shipper to Iran, whilst the shippers to the CIS and Turkey bid selectively.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the well-made BOP1/OP1s were easier, whilst the balance sold around last levels. The Select Best OP/OPAs were firm, whilst the balance declined. The PEKs, in general, were firm. Few Select Best PEK1s were firm, whilst the balance eased.

In the Tippy catalogues, the FBOPs in general were firm to dearer, whilst the bolder varieties were irregular. The well-made FF1s, together with the clean leaf Below Best and clean leaf teas at the bottom, appreciated whilst the balance sold around last levels. 
In the Premium catalogues, the Very Tippy teas met with good demand and were dearer. The Best and Below Best too appreciated to a lesser extent, whilst the balance was firm. The leafier varieties too, in general, were dearer.