Colombo tea auction quantities low on fair demand

The Colombo Tea Auction saw 4.83 million kg of tea on offer this week with 2.20 million kg of Low Grown Grades and 1.66 million kg of High and Mid Grown Main Grades.

In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues select best BOP1/OP1s were generally firm, whilst best varieties maintained, however improved below best varieties gained substantially following quality; teas at the lower end too appreciated.

Select best Pekoe/Pekoe’s1 s were fully firm to dearer whilst improved below best Pekoe 1’s appreciated. However, corresponding Pekoe’s were barely steady; teas at the lower end maintained. In the Small leaf catalogues select best FBOP/FBOPF1s were fully firm, whilst improved below best varieties gained; teas at the lower end too appreciated.

In the Premium Flowery catalogues select best very tippy teas were irregular, however, best/below best varieties appreciated.

Fair general demand in the Ex Estate catalogues. Select Western BOP/BOPFs emerging seasonal character gained Rs.50 to Rs.100, whilst coloury well made below best moved up Rs.50 to Rs.80 and more; bottom were irregular tending lower. Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs were firm to Rs.50 dearer, whilst others were barely steady. Better Medium BOPs were about firm and the BOPFs were dearer upto Rs.30. CTC BP1s were firm, whilst CTCPF1s firm to lower upto Rs.50. (SD)