Colombo Tea Auction sees marginal improvement in quantities, demand in penultimate sale

The penultimate sale of the year, which concluded this week, had an increased volume of 4.94 million kilogrammes on offer, up from the 4.48 million kilogrammes on offer the previous week. 

The Large Leaf teas in general met with improved demand, whilst the High and Medium Grown (Orthodox/Rotovane types) encountered selective interest and a bearish market sentiment, Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said. 
The Ex-Estate offerings comprised of 0.67 million kilogrammes and here again, an increased volume vis-à-vis the previous week’s 0.52 million kilogrammes. The overall quality of the teas showed no 
noticeable change. 
The prices for the Best Western BOP/BOPFs were often quality driven, with a select range of invoices appreciating by Rs.50-100 per kilogramme, following special inquiry. In the Below Best and Plainer categories, the BOPs declined by up to Rs.100 per kilogramme, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were firm and up to Rs.40 per kilogramme easier, particularly towards the close. 

The Nuwara Eliyas met with less demand and had hardly any offerings. The Uva/Uda Pussellawa BOPs - in the backdrop of its limited availability perhaps, appreciated by Rs.50-100 per kilogramme. The corresponding Uda Pussellawa BOPFs were Rs.20-40 per kilogramme lower, whilst the Uva BOPFs gained by a similar margin and more. 
The CTC teas showed no change in the overall price structure though qualitative aspects were primarily the reason for price movements. 
The auction offerings over the next two weeks show a gradual and marginal improvement.   
The Low Growns comprised of 2.03 million kilogrammes and in general, met with fair demand.
In the Leafy catalogues, the Select Best OP1s were easier, whilst the balance was firm to dearer. The BOP1s together with the well-made OPs were firm, whilst the balance was easier. The Select Best OPAs were easier, whilst the balance sold around last levels. The PEKs in general were firm, whilst the PEK1s declined. 
In the Tippy catalogues, the Select Best FBOPs were firm to easier, whilst the balance appreciated. The Select Best FF1s sold around last levels. The Best together with the Below Best and clean leaf teas at the bottom appreciated, whilst the balance was irregular.
In the Premium catalogues, the very Tippy teas met with good demand and were firm to selectively dearer, whilst the Best and Below Best sold around last levels. The others were irregular.