Good demand at Colombo Tea Auction

Thursday, 17 May 2018 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Forbes and Walker

Tea Brokers

Total auction offerings increased further to a 7.9M/Kgs. There was good demand particularly for the better teas.

Ex-Estate offerings, too, showed an increase and totalled a 1.34M/Kgs. There was good demand and most teas were readily observed notwithstanding the increased volume of tea on offer. High-priced western BOPs of last week declined in value whilst the corresponding BOPF, too, were substantially easier. Other BOP/BOPF in the best Western category were irregular. In the below best category, brighter BOPs gained Rs.30-50 per kg and more, whilst majority of the BOPF declined Rs.10-20 per kg. Plainer clean leaf BOP were Rs.10-20 per kg dearer, whilst the poorer sorts tended easier. Corresponding BOPF were often Rs.10-20/- per kg lower with the poorest selling around last. Nuwara Eliya BOP’s were irregular and tended easier whilst the corresponding BOPF were neglected. Udapussellawa BOP/BOPF sold around last. Uva BOP’s irregular whilst the BOPF declined Rs.10-20/- per kg and substantially more for last week’s high priced teas. CTC BP1’s declined up to Rs.20/- per kg whilst the PF1’s were barely steady. Liquoring leafy teas were difficult of sale with many withdrawals.

Low Growns totalled 3.2M/kgs this week in the Leafy/Tippy catalogues. There was good demand particularly for the well made teas. In the Leafy catalogue, better BOP1’s and OP1’s together with a range of improved below best sorts were fully firm to irregularly dearer. Others were easier following quality. Better PEK/PEK1’s too were fully firm to irregularly dearer. Here again at the lower end prices were irregular and lower. Better OP/OPA’s were marginally lower. Teas at the lower end were however firm. In the Tippy catalogue, better made FBOP/FF1’s maintained. Others were irregular and lower particularly towards the close. In the Premium catalogue too, a selection of leafy well made types were fully firm to irregularly dearer whilst others were barely steady. There was good demand from shippers to CIS, Turkey, Dubai, Libya, Iraq and Saudi Arabia at this week’s sale.