Tea auction steady despite lower volumes this week

Tea auction offerings declined further and totalled 5.1 M/Kgs this week, of which approximately 0.5 M/Kgs comprised of re-prints. Once again, improved demand in the backdrop of limited availability. 

Ex-Estate offerings too were lower to last and totalled 0.64 M/Kgs. 

Overall quality of teas from the Westen slopes was marginally improved, whilst the Nuwara Eliyas’/ Uda Pussellawas’ were irregular. Uvas’ were limited to non-seasonal teas this week.    

From the Western slopes, Best available BOP/BOPF’s were up by Rs. 50 per kg and Rs. 20-40 per kg respectively. In the Below Best category, BOP’s gained by Rs. 20-40 per kg and more, whilst the corresponding BOPF’s gained by Rs. 50 per kg and more for select invoices. 

At the lower end of the market, BOP/BOPF’s gained by Rs. 50 per kg and more for the clean leaf types. Nuwara Eliyas’ were perhaps the only disappointing feature where most BOP/BOPF’s remained unsold. Uda Pussellawa BOP/BOPF’s were often firm and Rs. 20-40 per kg dearer though still continued to sell at the lower end of the market. Uvas’ had no seasonal teas on offer, whilst other non-seasonal BOP/BOPF’s continued to sell around last week’s levels. 

High & Medium Grown CTC teas – BP1’s had hardly any offerings. PF1’s – Better sorts were generally firm subject to quality, whilst a greater majority of the poorer sorts at the lower end of the market remained unsold. Corresponding Low Grown types continued to sell well. 

Less activity from shippers to the UK and the continent, whilst shippers to Japan, China, the CIS and the Middle East continued to operate fairly actively. 

Low Growns totalled approximately 2.1 M/Kgs. All categories met with fair demand.

In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, well-made BOP1’s were firm, whilst the Below Best together with the bolder varieties appreciated. Teas at the bottom maintained. OP1’s, in general, were firm to dearer. Well-made OP’s were  easier, whilst the balance appreciated. Select Best and Best OPA’s were lower, whilst the balance were firm to dearer following quality. Select Best PEK/PEK1’s were easier, whilst the Best varieties were firm to dearer. 

Mixed/open varieties eased, whilst teas at the bottom maintained. The smaller PEK1 varieties were declined.

In the Tippy catalogue, Select Best and Best FBOP’s were lower, whilst the Below Best together with the teas at the bottom were firm on last. Select Best and Best FF1’s were firm, whilst the Below Best together with teas at the bottom were easier. 

In the Premium catalogue, a few Very Tippy Teas sold around last levels, whilst the balance in general eased.