Improved demand for Ceylon Tea at auction

Ceylon Tea auction had an offering totalling approximately 6 million kg that was marginally lower than last week that met with improved demand, Forbes & Walkers market report stated.

Ex-Estate offerings totaled 0.8 million kg. Best Western Select high priced BOP’s gained Rs.100-200 per kg while others appreciated further.

In the Below Best and Plainer categories, clean leaf coloury BOP’s gained up to Rs.100 per kg and more while the others were generally firm.

Auction offering totalled approximately 6.0 M/Kgs, marginally lower to the previous week’s quantity of 6.1 M/Kgs. Improved demand.

Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.8 M/Kgs. Overall quality was slightly preferable to last week, although still a greater majority of the teas comprised of a fair average quality.

Best Western – Select high priced BOP’s gained Rs. 100-200 per kg, whilst others appreciated further. Corresponding BOPF’s followed a similar trend and often gained Rs. 50-60 per kg. In the Below Best and Plainer categories, clean leaf coloury BOP’s gained up to Rs. 100 per kg and more, whilst the others were generally firm.

High and Medium Grown CTC BP1s were irregular, while the PF1’s were firm and Rs.20-40 per kg dearer. Corresponding Low Grown varieties – BP1s were irregular and mostly firm.

Low Growns comprised 2.4 million kg in the Leafy and Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues. Well-made teas together with the cleaner Below Best met with good demand, while the balance was easier following quality. Shippers to Iran and Turkey were active, while there was limited activity from Russia and Iraq.

In the Tippy catalogues, well-made FBOP/FF1’s together with the cleaner Below Best appreciated, whilst the balance were easier following quality.

In the Premium catalogues, very Tippy teas met with good demand and were substantially dearer, whilst the Best followed a similar trend. Cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom too were dearer to a lesser extent, whilst the balance were firm on last. (SD)