Colombo Tea Auction sees 5.1 MnKgs under hammer this week

The Colombo Tea Auction saw 5.1 million kilogrammes come under the hammer this week, which was met with good demand. 
In the Ex-Estate catalogues, the quantity on offer totalling 0.76 million kilogrammes, was fairly similar to last, with only a small selection of useful liquoring 
the Westerns. 
Improved demand was seen all-round with the better teas from the Western slopes, in particular, appreciating by a higher margin. The teas at the lower end of the market too recorded an improvement in prices, although to a lesser extent, whilst the BOPFs continued to command a premium over the corresponding BOPs. 
Interestingly, the CTC teas too met with good demand all-round and appreciated by Rs.50 per kilogramme and more, which was indeed encouraging. 
Once again, the anticipated lower volumes perhaps triggered additional buying interest, which is likely to continue in the short term, with the crop intake not showing signs of improvement. 

Improved activity from the tea bag sector, shippers to Japan and the CIS, whilst interest from the shippers to the UK, the continent and South Africa remained somewhat selective. 
The Low Growns comprised of 2.16 million kilogrammes. The Tippy and Premium categories encountered improved demand, whilst the Leafy and Semi-Leafy categories met with less demand.
In the Leafy catalogues, the OP1s were firm to selectively dearer. The high-priced BOP1s declined, whilst the balance appreciated. The Select Best OP/OPAs were firm, whilst the balance was irregularly easier. The PEK/PEK1s, in general, declined. 
In the Tippy catalogues, the FBOPs in general were dearer with the bolder varieties appreciating substantially. The Select Best and Best FF1s were firm to dearer, whilst the clean leaf Below Best and clean leaf teas at the bottom appreciated substantially. The balance too was dearer.
In the Premium catalogues, the very Tippy teas appreciated, whilst the Best and clean leaf Below Best too appreciated. However, the balance was irregular, following quality.
Improved activity from regular markets and shippers to Iran, in particular, were more forceful.