Colombo Tea Auction sees 6.5 Mnkg coming under hammer this week

The tea auction saw a total of 6.5 MnKg come under the hammer this week where the lot was met with fair general demand.

In this week’s offer, Ex-Estate offerings were of 0.9 MnKg, however, according to the latest tea report by Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers, the quality was barely maintained. “Consequently the better teas, where quality was maintained declined Rs. 20-30 per kg particularly in respect of the BOPF grade,” Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers said. The BOPs that were limited in availability, continued to sell around last with the exception of last week’s select high priced teas that declined in value. On CTC teas, BP1s were firm and tended dearer, whilst the PF1s declined by Rs. 20 per kg and more for the poorer invoices.  

Low Growns comprised of 2.8 MnKg in the Leafy/Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues that met with good demand. In the Leafy catalogue, better OP1s declined substantially whereas others, particularly the teas at the lower end, maintained.

Better OP/OPAs were irregular, whilst others were firm to dearer. In the Semi Leafy catalogue, a few select best BOP1s together with a range of improved Below Best were fully firm to irregularly dearer. However, others were barely steady.

PEK/PEK1s too were fully firm to dearer with a range of bolder types in particular gaining Rs. 10-20 per kg. In the Tippy catalogue, better FBOP/FF1s were firm to irregularly dearer, whilst the cleaner secondaries were firm. The balance was  irregular.

In the premium catalogue, there was good demand and prices were fully firm to dearer for the well-made sorts. The balance was irregular following quality.