Good demand at Colombo Tea auction

With 5.30 million kg of tea on offer at this week's Colombo Tea Auction there was good and improved demand with prices appreciating in some categories.

At the auction there was 2.19 million kg of Low Grown Main Grades and 1.86 million kg of High and Mid Grown Main Grades on offer.

There was improved demand in the Ex-Estate catalogues with Best and below best season Westerns gaining upto Rs. 100 on special inquiry. Below best and bottom BOPs were firm to Rs.50 dearer and their BOPFs were firm to slightly dearer.

Nuwara Eliya's sold well on quality. Udapussellawa BOP/BOPFs were firm to Rs.50 dearer, whilst Uva BOPs gained upto Rs.50 and the BOPFs gained upto Rs.60. Medium BOPs were firm to slightly dearer and better BOPFs gained upto Rs.50; others maintained. CTC BP1s were about firm on last. CTC PF1s tended lower upto Rs.40.

In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues select best BOP1s maintained, whilst corresponding OP1s declined, however a range of well-made best varieties maintained; others bolder varieties were irregular and mostly lower. Well-made OP/OPAs were barely steady, whilst below best/bottom varieties maintained. Select best Pekoe / Pekoe 1s were generally firm, whilst others in the below best category were easier. Teas at the lower end maintained. In the Small leaf catalogues select best FBOP/FBOPF1s were fully firm to dearer, whilst others in the below best category maintained following quality.

Teas at the lower end declined. In the Premium Flowery catalogues well-made tippy teas appreciated, whilst others too were fully firm to dearer. (SD)