Quantities remain low at Colombo Tea Auction

The auction quantities continued to remain low at the Colombo Tea Auction and this week a total of 4.79 MnKgs came under the hammer, which was met with good demand.

The Ex-Estate offerings too were minimal and totalled 0.62 MnKgs. The overall quality showed no significant change. Consequent to the limited offerings and there being no significant change in the offerings during the forthcoming sales, the tea prices continued to be strong, said Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers in its latest tea report. 

The Western BOP/BOPFs were mostly firm with the prices fluctuating following quality. The Nuwara Eliya BOPs were firm and dearer, whilst the corresponding BOPFs had hardly any offerings. The Uda Pussellawas were irregular and barely steady. The Uva BOP/BOPFs were mostly firm.  

The High and Medium Grown CTCs – BP1s had hardly any offerings, whilst the PF1s, which were firm and Rs.50-100 per kg dearer at the commencement, were firm and dearer to a lesser extent by the close.

The Low Grown varieties were barely steady.  

The Low Growns comprised of 2.0 MnKgs and met with improved demand. The well-made teas together with the cleaner secondaries were firm to dearer, whilst the others sold around last levels.

In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues, the select Best BOP1/OP1s maintained, whilst a range of clean Below Best varieties were fully firm to selectively dearer. The teas at the lower end gained substantially. The well-made OP/OPAs in general were fully firm to selectively dearer, whilst the poorer sorts met with improved demand. The PEK/PEK1s, in general, were fully firm.

In the Tippy catalogues, the well-made FBOP/FF1s were firm to selectively dearer, whilst the cleaner Below Best too followed a similar trend. The balance was fully firm.

In the Premium catalogues, the very Tippy teas continued to attract good demand. The best sold around last levels, whilst the cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom appreciated. The balance too appreciated to a lesser extent.