Colombo Tea Auction sees offering improve

The offering at the Colombo Tea Auction improved to 6.3 MnKgs this week, with the Leafy/Low Grown teas continuing to meet with reasonably good demand, whereas the High and Medium Grown Small Leaf teas encountered a bearish sentiment.   

Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said the Ex-Estate offerings continued to be maintained around 1.0 MnKgs. However, a selection of the Westerns was improved, whilst the others together with the teas from the Eastern sector showed no significant change. 

A few select Western BOPs in the Best and Below Best categories appreciated following special inquiry, whilst the others declined by Rs.50 per kg and more. The corresponding BOPFs – the Select Best invoices, declined by Rs.50 per kg and more for a majority of the Below Best lighter liquoring teas. 

At the lower end too, the BOPs declined by Rs.20-40 per kg, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were irregular and barely steady.

The Nuwara Eliyas were mostly unsold. The Uda Pussellawas – the high-priced teas, were sharply lower, whilst the others sold around last. The Uva BOPs – few select coloury sorts, appreciated Rs.50-100 per kg, whilst the others declined by Rs.50 per kg and more. The corresponding BOPFs declined by Rs.50-70 per kg.   

The High and Mid Grown CTC teas – the BP1s, were irregular. The PF1s – select coloury types, were generally firm, whilst the lighter thinner liquoring types declined irregularly in value. The Low Grown varieties sold firm. 
There was improved demand from South Africa, whilst there was fair activity from Japan and the UK for a selection of the better teas, whilst the shippers to the CIS continued to bid on a wider cross section of the offerings.   

The Low Growns comprised of 2.5 MnKgs. The Leafy, Semi-Leafy and Tippy varieties met with good demand.

In the Leafy catalogues, the well-made OP1s maintained, whilst the balance was easier. The OPs, in general, were firm. The well-made OPAs were easier, whilst the balance sold around last levels. In the Semi-Leafy catalogues, the well-made BOP1s together with the cleaner Below Best sold around last levels, whilst the teas at the bottom eased. The well-made PEK/PEK1s were firm, whilst the balance was easier following quality.

In the Tippy catalogues, the FBOPs in general were firm, whilst the bolder varieties declined. The well-made FF1s together with the cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom appreciated, whilst the balance eased following quality.

In the Premium catalogues, the very Tippy teas together with the Best and cleaner Below Best maintained, whilst the teas at the bottom eased. However, the leafier varieties in general were dearer.