Colombo Tea auction volumes drop to 4M kg

The Colombo tea auction offering was limited to 4.2 million kg this week which were substantially lower volumes to the usual offerings at the Colombo auction during this time of the year.

Ex-estate offerings were restricted to 0.57 million kg. Overall quality of offerings were similar to last. Good demand with price fluctuations often following quality.

Western BOP/BOPF’s were mostly firm with select invoices appreciating Rs.50 per kg following quality/ special inquiry. BOP/BOPF’s from the Nuwara Eliya Region were limited and perhaps failed to generate adequate interest following relatively uninteresting quality. Uda Pussellawas’ were irregular and easier. Uva BOP’s continued to sell well, whilst the corresponding BOPF’s declined by Rs.50-100 per kg and more.

High and Medium CTC’s BP1’s had hardly any offerings, whilst the PF1’s generally sold around last week’s levels with price fluctuations once again following quality. Low Grown CTC’s BP1s were mostly easier by Rs.50-100 per kg, whilst the PF1’s sold around last week’s levels.

Low Growns comprised of 1.8 million kg in the Leafy/Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues. Well-made teas continued to attract good demand and prices improved further. Shippers to Iran, Iraq and Turkiye operated aggressively.