Colombo Tea Auction sees mixed demand this week

The Colombo Tea Auction offerings totalled 6.6 million kilogrammes (MnKg)

The Large Leaf teas met with reasonably good demand, except for the PEK grade. The High and Medium Small Leaf teas continued to be weak and a bearish sentiment all round, primarily following plainer quality.   

The Ex-Estate offerings were similar to last and totalled 1.0 M/Kgs. The overall quality of teas showed no change, with a greater majority of the offerings comprising of average to plain quality teas. 

A few select BOP/BOPFs in the higher price bracket in the Western category were firm and dearer, following special inquiry, whilst the others were irregular and easier. In the Below Best category, a small selection of BOPs appreciated by Rs.50 per kilogramme and more, following special inquiry, whilst the others declined by a similar margin. 

The corresponding BOPFs too followed a similar trend. At the lower end, the BOPs were firm and Rs.20-40 per kilogramme dearer, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were irregular and mostly easier, following quality. 

The Nuwara Eliya BOPs were up to Rs.50 per kilogramme easier, whilst the corresponding BOPFs continued to sell around last. The Uda Pussellawa BOPs – a few clean leaf teas, continued to sell well, whilst the others too were firm and marginally dearer. 

The corresponding BOPFs were barely steady. The Uva BOPs were firm and Rs.20-30 per kilogramme dearer, whilst the corresponding BOPFs declined by a similar margin and more.     

The CTC teas – BP1s, had hardly any offerings all round. The High and Mid Grown PF1s in the higher price bracket were weaker by up to Rs.50 per kilogramme, whilst the others continued to sell around last. The corresponding Low Grown PF1s declined by Rs.50 per kilogramme and more. 

Less activity was seen from the shippers to the UK and continent, whilst there was selective buying from the shippers to Japan and South Africa. The shippers to the CIS and Middle East continued to be active at lower levels.   

The Low Growns comprised of 2.9 M/Kgs.  The Leafy, Semi-Leafy and Tippy catalogues met with fair demand.

In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the well-made BOP1s witnessed firm demand, whilst the balance together with the bolder varieties declined. The OP1s were generally firm. The well-made OPs sold around last levels, whilst the balance was easier. The Select Best OPAs appreciated, whilst the Best and Below Best varieties were lower. The teas at the bottom sold at last levels. The high-priced PEKs appreciated, whilst the balance was lower. However, the teas at the bottom sold around last levels. The PEK1s, in general, were firm.

In the Tippy catalogue, the Select Best FBOPs were firm, whilst the Best, Below Best and bolder varieties were easier. The balance sold around last levels. A few Select Best FBOPF1s were firm, whilst the balance together with the Best and Below Best were easier. The teas at the bottom were firm on last. 

In the Premium catalogue, a selection of high-priced Leafier Tippy teas held firm, whilst the balance eased.