Offering dips at this week’s tea auction but good general demand seen

The quantities at the Colombo Tea Auction declined marginally and totalled 6.0 million kilogrammes this week.

Although lower by 0.2 million kilogrammes from last week, the quantities were met with good general demand at firm to dearer rates, triggered by the weakening of the Sri Lankan rupee, Forbes and Walker Tea Borkers said.
The Ex-Estate offerings were fairly similar to last and totalled 0.9 million kilogrammes and the quality was irregular.  

The Best Western BOPs were firm with select invoices appreciating up to Rs.100 per kilogramme, following special inquiry. 

The corresponding BOPFs followed a similar trend, with select invoices appreciating by Rs.100 per kilogramme and more, whilst the others were firm and Rs.30-50 per kilogramme dearer.  In the Below Best category, the select coloury BOPs were firm and Rs.20-40 per kilogramme dearer, whilst the others were irregular. The corresponding BOPFs – Select clean leaf coloury types, appreciated up to Rs.100 per kilogramme and more following special inquiry, whilst the others gained up to Rs.50 per kilogramme. The Plainer BOP/BOPFs appreciated up to Rs.50 per kilogramme.

The Nuwara Eliya BOPs were irregularly dearer, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were mostly unsold. The Uva/Uda Pussellawa BOPs were firm and up to Rs.50 per kilogramme dearer. The corresponding BOPFs, Uda Pussellawas – Better teas, were firm, whilst the others together with the Uvas appreciated Rs.20-40 per kilogramme.

The High and Mid Grown CTC teas – BP1s, were irregular. The PF1s were up to Rs.50 per kilogramme dearer for select invoices, whilst the others were irregular. 

The corresponding Low Grown varieties – BP1s, tended easier, whilst the PF1s appreciated Rs.50 per kilogramme and more towards the close. 

The Low Growns comprised of 2.3 million kilogrammes. The Semi-Leafy and Small Leaf categories met with good demand, whilst the Leafy category in general was easier.   

The Select Best OP1/BOP1s sold around last levels, whilst the balance was easier. However, the teas at the bottom were firm. A few select Best OP/OPAs were firm on special inquiry,  while all the others were lower. 

The well-made PEK/PEK1s appreciated, whilst the Below Best and teas at the bottom were firm. In the Tippy catalogues, the FBOPs in general appreciated. The Select Best FF1s were firm, whilst the Best together with the cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom appreciated. The balance sold around last levels.

In the Premium catalogues, the very Tippy teas met with good demand and were dearer. The Best and cleaner Below Best too appreciated, whilst the balance sold at last levels.