Volumes drop at Colombo Tea Auction

A relatively smaller volume of 5.3 million kg of Ceylon Tea was on offer compared to the 6.2 million kg on offer last week. It was a reasonably stable market for the time of the year, perhaps emanating from the lower volumes and a more stable currency, Forbes and Walkers market report stated.

Ex-estate offerings were marginally lower to last and totalled 0.83 million kg which showed an improved demand at the auction.

A selection of Best Western BOP/BOPF’s appreciated by Rs.50-100 per kg following special inquiry whilst the others were mostly firm. In the Below Best category, a selection of coloury BOP’s gained by Rs.50 per kg and more. Corresponding BOPF’s appreciated by Rs.20-40 per kg, whilst the others sold mostly around last week’s levels. Corresponding BOPF’s gained by Rs.20-40 per kg and more. Nuwara Eliya’s were mostly unsold. Uda Pussellawa BOP/BOPF’s sold around last week’s levels. Uva BOP’s were firm and Rs.20 – 40 per kg dearer. Correespnding BOPF’s – Select invoices were substantially dearer, whilst the others were firm to marginally dearer.

High and Mid Grown CTC teas – BP1s were limited in availability and witnessed an irregular trend in prices. Better sorts were Rs.20-40 per kg lower, whilst the others together with the Low Grown types were mostly firm.

There was improved activity from shippers to the CIS, whilst shippers to the UK, Japan and South Africa too were fairly active.

Low Growns comprised 2.25 million kg. The Leafy category met with less demand, whilst the Semi-Leafy category me with fair demand.

In the Tippy catalogues, BOP’s in general were firm to dearer, whilst the other varieties were irregular.

In the Premium catalogues, Very Tippy teas met with good demand and were dearer.  (SD)