Higher tea offerings meet fair demand at weekly auction

The auction offering totalled 6.4 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs), up from a 6.0 M/Kgs on offer the previous week. 

A fair general demand was seen and mostly a firm to easier trend in prices.   

The Ex-Estate offerings comprised of 0.8 M/Kgs, up from a 0.7 M/Kgs on offer the previous week. The overall quality of the teas showed no significant change.  

The Best Western BOP/BOPFs – Select invoices, appreciated by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme, whilst the others were irregular and firm to easier by a similar margin, particularly for the BOPs.

In the Below Best category, the select improved BOPs appreciated by up to Rs.50 per kilogramme, whilst the others were irregular. The corresponding BOPFs followed a similar trend, with the improved invoices appreciating by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme and more, whilst the others were barely steady. At the lower end of the market, the BOPs were firm and Rs.20 per kilogramme dearer. 

The corresponding BOPFs – Clean leaf types, were firm, whilst the others were Rs.20 per kilogramme lower. The Nuwara Eliyas were generally firm and a slightly better outlook for the BOP/BOPFs. The Uda Pussellawa BOPs gained by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were lower by a similar margin. The Uva BOPs were irregular, whilst the corresponding BOPFs sold around last week’s levels.  

The CTC teas continued to sell around last week’s levels. 

The feature of the sale was the strong demand for the Large Leaf BOPs and the well-made Small Leaf PEKs, which continued to sell well. 

Less demand was seen from the shippers to the UK and continent, whilst the shippers to South Africa were selective. The shippers to Japan, China, the CIS and Middle Eastern sector continued to be reasonably active. 

The Low Growns totalled approximately 2.87 M/Kgs, with all categories witnessing fair demand. 

In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the Select Best BOP1s, together with the teas at the bottom, were firm, whilst the Best and bolder varieties were easier. The Select Best OP1s, together with the Below Best and teas at the lower end, were firm, whilst the Best declined. The OP/OPAs, in general, were firm. The Select Best and Best PEKs were firm, whilst the Below Best together with the mixed/open varieties were easier. The teas at the bottom maintained. The PEK1s, in general, were lower. 

In the Tippy catalogue, a selection of Select Best and Best FBOPs were firm, whilst the balance in general were lower. A few Select Best FF1s were firm on special inquiry, whilst the others were easier. 

In the Premium catalogue, a selection of high-priced Tippy teas attracted a good demand, whilst the others in general were easier.