Colombo Tea auction sees fair demand and lower prices

Fair demand prevailed at the Ceylon Tea auction held this week with 5.5 million kg of tea on offer of which 2.27 million kg were Low Grown Main Grades and 1.97 million kg were High and Mid Grown Main Grades.

In the leafy and semi leafy catalogues a few select best BOP1/OP1s maintained, whilst Best varieties too were generally firm. Bolder BOP1s decline, however corresponding OP1s fully firm. Teas at the lower end maintained. Select best Pekoe/Pekoe1s maintained, whilst best varieties declined. However a range of improved corresponding FBOPF1s declined.

There was fair demand at slightly lower rates at this week’s Ex-Estate auction. Select best Western BOP/BOPFs were about firm, but below best were lower up to Rs.80. Most Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs were unsold. Udapussellawa BOPs were significantly lower, whilst BOPFs were irregularly lower. Well- made Uva BOPs were lower up to Rs.100, whilst others and the BOPFs were lower Rs.20 to Rs.50. (SD)