Quantities increase at Colombo Tea Auction

There was an increased stock of Ceylon Tea for sale at the Colombo Tea Auction this week with 6.49 million kg on offer of which 2.86 million kg were Low Grown Main Grades and 2.11 million kg of High and Mid Grown Main Grades.

In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues select best OP1/BOP1s were barely steady. A range of improved BOP1s were fully firm, whilst corresponding OP1s declined substantially. Teas at the lower end maintained. Well-made OP/OPAs declined substantially, whilst a range of well-made below best varieties and poorer sorts maintained. Select best Pekoe/Pekoe1s declined, whilst below best Pekoe’s maintained. Corresponding Pekoe 1’s declined. In the Small Leaf catalogues select best FBOP/FBOPF1s were firm, whilst below best varieties and poorer sorts were irregular and at times easier. In the Premium Flowery catalogues select best varieties gained, whilst others too were dearer to a lesser extent.

There was fair demand at lower rates in the Ex-Estate catalogues this week. Better Western BOP/BOPFs were lower Rs.50 Rs.70 with below best and bottom BOPs lower even further and the BOPFs lower Rs.20 to Rs.40 and more. Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs were irregular. Udapusselawa BOP/BOPFs lower Rs.40 to Rs.60. Uva BOPs were about firm but the BOPFs lower upto Rs.30. Good Medium BOPs wer about firm. Others and BOPFs were lower Rs.50 to Rs.50 CTC BP1s were about firm, whilst PF1s tended lower Rs.50 and more. (SD)