Stocks decline at Colombo Tea Auction

There has been a decline in the stocks at the Colombo tea auction this week with only 4.83 million kg of tea on offer with 1.92 million kg being Low Grown Main Grades and 1.82 million kg High and Mid Grown Main Grades, brokers said.
 

In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues select best BOP1/OP1s gained, while Best/Below best varieties were firm to selectively dearer; others where quality did not maintain prices were easier. Well-made OP/OPAs in general were firm to dearer, whilst Best / Improved below best varieties prices remained the same. Select best Pekoe/Pekoe1s in general were firm, whilst small Pekoe 1s varieties gained. Mixed Pekoe's declined, whilst corresponding Pekoe1s maintained. In the Small leaf catalogues select best FBOP/FBOPF1s gained, whilst Best/below best varieties maintained; others and poorer sorts were barely steady. In the Premium Catalogues well-made tippy teas maintained; others were irregular and mostly easier.
Demand was irregular at this week's Ex-Estate auction. Selected Western BOPs were firm to Rs.50 dearer, whilst others were irregularly lower upto Rs.50. Except for a few selected and Clean Coloury BOPF which maintained, the others were lower upto Rs.50. Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs were firm to slightly dearer. Better Udapussellawa BOPs were lower Rs.50 and more, whilst BOPFs gained upto Rs.50. CTC BP1s were upto Rs.50 dearer, whilst better CTC PF1s were firm to Rs.50 dearer; others were irregular.  (SD)