Fair demand at Colombo Tea Auction

• Western quality teas ease on weaker interest

The offerings at the Colombo Tea Auction totalled 5.5 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs), which were met with fair general demand.  

The Ex-Estate offerings were similar to last and totalled 0.75 M/Kgs. The selection of teas was not as useful, particularly from the Western slopes.  

The Western High Grown BOP/BOPFs, where quality was maintained, were firm with a few select invoices appreciating on last, following special inquiry, whilst the others declined by Rs.50 per kilogramme and more following quality. 

In the Below Best category, the BOPs in the high-price bracket declined by Rs.50 per kilogramme and more, whilst the corresponding BOPFs too were irregular and easier, following quality. At the lower end of the market, the BOPs declined by Rs.20-30 per kilogramme and more following quality, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were irregular and tended easier. The Nuwara Eliyas met with sluggish demand, with only select BOP invoices selling around last week’s price levels, whilst the corresponding BOPFs were most often unsold.  The Uda Pussellawas were barely steady and continued to sell at the lower end of the market. The Uva – Select high-priced BOPs of last week, declined by Rs.100 per kilogramme, whilst the others declined by up to Rs.50 per kilogramme. The corresponding BOPFs were Rs.20-40 per kilogramme easier.  

The High and Mid Grown CTC teas – BP1s, had very limited offerings. The PF1s – Better teas, continued to sell around last, whilst the others were irregular. The corresponding Low Grown varieties sold well mostly around last week’s levels. 

Less activity was seen from the shippers to the UK and South Africa. The shippers to Japan and China continued to be quite active at lower levels to last, whilst the shippers to the CIS and Middle East continued to be fairly active on a wide cross-section of the teas. The Low Growns totalled approximately 2.3 M/Kgs, with fair demand witnessed by all categories.  

In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, a selection of high-priced BOP1s was firm, whilst the balance in general was easier. However, the bolder varieties declined sharply. 

The well-made OP1s together with the clean Below Best were firm to dearer, whilst the balance was irregular. The well-made OPs together with the cleaner Below Best sold around last levels, whilst the balance was irregular. 

The Select Best OPAs were lower, whilst the balance was firm. The high-priced PEK/PEK1s were sold around last levels, whilst the balance was easier. However, the teas at the bottom sold at last levels. 

In the Tippy catalogue, a selection of Select Best FBOPs was firm, following special inquiry, whilst the balance together with the bolder varieties declined. The FF1s, in general, were easier.  

In the Premium catalogue, the Very Tippy teas met with good demand and were dearer, whilst the Best too followed a similar trend. The balance sold around last levels. However, the leafier types were irregular.