SL tea production low, prices dip at Colombo tea auction

The drop in production continued this week as well at the Colombo Tea Auction with 4.67 million kg of tea on offer with 1.89 million kg Low Grown Main Grades and 1.64 million kg of High and Mid Grown Main Grades.
 

Asia Siyaka Brokers reported, that in the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues select best BOP1/OP1s were fully firm to selectively dearer following special inquiry; others in the best and below best category prices were fully firm. Balance were irregular and at times lower. Well-made OP/OPAs in general were fully firm to selectively dearer, whilst others and poorer sorts maintained. Select best Pekoe/Pedoe1s maintained. Teas at the lower end were irregular and mostly lower. In the Premium Flower catalogues very tippy teas varieties maintained, whilst others were irregular.
Demand was at lower rates at this week's Ex-Estate auction. Except for a small selection of best Western BOP/BOPFs which maintained last levels of price, below best and others tended lower Rs.50 and Rs.80. Very few Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs were on offer. Better Udapussellawa BOPs were lower Rs.80 and more, others were lower upto Rs.50 with BOPF declining by Rs.30 to Rs.50. Well-made Uva BOPs were lower upto Rs.100, others and the BOPFs lost Rs.30 to Rs.50.
Better Medium BOPs were sharply lower, whilst the bottom maintained. BOPFs were lower Rs.100 and more. CTC BP1s were about firm with a small volume gained in sharply. Selected CTC PF1s gained upto Rs.100; others were lower by Rs.50 to Rs.100. (SD)