Less buying intensity at Colombo Tea Auction this week

The Colombo Tea Auction this week saw less buying intensity, due to a combination of relatively higher volumes for the time of year and qualitative factors, a report from Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said. 
The auction offerings totalled 5.9 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs), a drop from two to three weeks of 6.4 M/Kgs. 
The Ex-Estate offerings continued to total around 0.9 M/Kgs. The overall quality of teas showed no significant change, with hardly any seasonal invoices on offer. 
The Best Western – A few select BOP invoices, appreciated substantially, following quality/special inquiry, whilst the others were irregular, following quality. The corresponding BOPFs had a slightly wider selection of teas, appreciating by Rs.100 per kilogramme and more following quality, whilst the others continued to be irregular. In the Below Best and Plainer categories, the BOPs declined by Rs.20-40 per kilogramme, whilst the corresponding BOPFs in the Below Best category were irregular. The clean leaf BOPFs at the lower end sold mostly firm, whilst the others declined by Rs.20 per kilogramme. 

The Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs sold at firm to dearer rates, following better quality of teas on offer. The Uva/Uda Pussellawa BOPs were barely steady, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were irregular, with a selection of the Uva teas, which sold at firm to marginally dearer rates. 
The High and Mid Grown CTC teas – BP1s, had hardly any offerings. The PF1s (High Growns) – Better teas, were barely steady, whilst the others were irregular and tended easier. The corresponding Low Grown types, BP1s, were mostly unsold, whilst the PF1s were Rs.20-40 per kilogramme easier.  
Less activity from the shippers to the UK, South Africa and the continent was seen. Fair activity from the shippers to Japan was seen, whilst the shippers to the CIS continued to be fairly active at mostly lower levels to last. 
The Low Growns comprised of 2.6 M/Kgs. All categories met with fair demand. 
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the Select Best and Best BOP1s were easier, whilst the balance together with the bolder varieties were irregular. The Select Best and Best OP1s were easier, whilst the balance sold around last levels. The Select Best and Best OPs maintained, whilst the Below Best and poorer sorts were easier. The smaller varieties followed a similar trend. The OPAs, in general, were easier. The high-priced PEK/PEK1s declined, whilst the Best and Below Best together with the mixed/open varieties were easier. The teas at the bottom sold around last levels.
In the Tippy catalogue, a few Select Best FBOPs sold around last levels, whilst the balance was easier. The Best and Below Best together with the bolder varieties followed a similar trend, whilst the teas at the bottom were firm. The Select Best and Best together with the Best FF1s declined, whilst the teas at the bottom were firm.
In the Premium catalogue, the Very Tippy teas were firm, whilst the Best and Below Best were firm to dearer. The teas at the bottom were irregular, following quality. The leafier varieties sold around last levels.