Prices dip at Colombo Tea Auction

Sri Lanka’s tea auction in Colombo saw fair general demand at lower rate this week with 5.87 million kg of tea on offer out of which 2.49 million kg were Low Grown Main Grades and 1.65 million kg were High and Mid Grown Main Grades.

In the leafy and semi leafy catalogues select best BOP1/OP1s declined, whilst below best BOP1s maintained. Corresponding OP1s were irregular and lower following quality. Select best OP/OPAs together with best varieties were barely steady with below best together poorer varieties maintained. Select best Pekoe/Pekoe1s were generally firm, whilst best /improved below best gained. Teas at the lower end maintained. In the Small leaf catalogues select best FBOP/FBOPF1s maintained, whilst best / improved below best varieties gained. Teas at the lower end were irregular and at times easier. In the Premium Flower catalogues all teas lower at last levels.

Best Western BOP/BOPFs maintained last levels; below best BOPs were lower Rs.20 to Rs.30 and the BOPF s declined Rs.30 to Rs.50. Bottom BOP/BOPFs were firm to slightly dearer. Very few Nuwara Eliya’s on offer this week. Udapussellawa BOP/BOPFs were Rs.20 to Rs.30 dearer, whilst Uva BOPs moved up Rs.20 to Rs.30. BOPFs were about firm. Medium BOPs maintained last levels. BOPFs were barely steady. CTC BP1s were about firm on last. CTC PF1s were firm to Rs.20 dearer. (SD)