Volumes dip at Colombo tea auction

There was a decline in the volume of Ceylon tea offered at the Colombo Tea Auction this week totalling 4.8 million kg. This was the lowest on offer since April last year.

Ex-Estate offerings were maintained around 0.6 million kg. The limited availability of High and Mid Grown liquoring BOP/BOPF’s continued to sell well, whilst the Low Growns / Large Leaf teas met with mixed demand.

In the Best Western category, BOP’s – select invoices, where quality was maintained were firm and up to Rs.50 per kg dearer, whilst the others were irregular and easier by a similar margin.

High and Mid Grown CTC teas – BPI’s had hardly any offerings, whilst the PF1s were firm and selectively dearer by Rs.20 per kg and more.

There was selectively buying from shippers to the UK. Fair activity from shippers to Japan, China and South Africa, whilst shippers to the Middle East and CIS continued to participate as usual.

Low Growns totalled approximately 2.1 million kg. All categories met with fair demand. (SD)