Offering slightly dips at this week’s Colombo Tea Auction but sees good demand

The Colombo Tea Auction saw 6.2 MnKgs come under the hammer this week. 

The offering, marginally lower from the 6.3 MnKgs at the auction the previous week, was met with good general demand, although the prices were most often irregular.  

The Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.95 MnKgs and here again, marginally lower to the previous week’s 1.0 MnKgs. A selection of the Westerns together with a few select Nuwara Eliyas showed improvement, whilst the teas from the other regions were fairly similar to last. There was improved demand, in general, although the prices tended to wane off towards the close. 

The Best Western BOP/BOPFs gained Rs.100 per kg and more for select invoices, following special inquiry. In the Below Best and Plainer categories, the select BOP invoices gained up to Rs.150 per kg and more, whilst the others were firm and dearer to a lesser extent. A selection of the corresponding BOPFs appreciated up to Rs.100 per kg, whilst the others together with the teas at the lower end of the market were firm and dearer to a lesser extent. The Nuwara Eliya BOPs, which gained up to Rs.100 per kg at the commencement, were dearer to a lesser extent by the close, whilst the corresponding BOPFs had hardly any offerings. The Uda Pussellawa BOPs – Clean leaf types, gained sharply, following quality, whilst the corresponding BOPFs sold mostly around last week’s levels. The Uva BOPs – Select high-priced teas of last week, appreciated Rs.50 per kg, whilst the other brighter sorts were firm and Rs.50-100 per kg dearer.

The corresponding BOPFs sold around last week’s levels.     

The High and Mid-Grown CTC teas – BP1s, gained Rs.50-100 per kg in most instances, whilst the corresponding PF1s gained Rs.50 per kg and more for a selection of High Grown invoices, following special inquiry. The Low Grown CTC BP1s/PF1s sold mostly around last week’s levels. 

There was improved demand from Japan and South Africa, whilst the shippers to the CIS continued to be active on a wide cross section of teas in the Below Best and Plainer categories. 

The Low Growns comprised of 2.4 MnKgs. The Semi-Leafy and Small Leaf categories met with fair demand, whilst the Leafy categories were easier.

In the Leafy catalogues, the well-made OP1s were firm, whilst the balance eased. However, the BOP1s in general were firm, whilst the OPAs were easier. The Select Best OPs maintained, whilst the balance was firm toeasier. The high-priced PEKs were firm. The Best and Below Best were irregular, whilst the teas at the bottom together with the PEK1s were firm. 

In the Tippy catalogues, the FBOPs in general were firm. The Select Best FF1s sold around last levels, whilst the Best and cleaner Below Best were firm to selectively dearer.

In the Premium catalogues, the very Tippy teas met with improved demand and were dearer. The best varieties sold around last levels, whilst the balance eased. However, the leafier varieties in general were dearer.