Fair demand at this week’s tea auctions

Thursday, 6 August 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Forbes and

Walker Tea Brokers

Auction quantities declined to 6.9M/Kgs this week. Low Growns met with fair demand whilst High Grown small leaf teas met with reasonably good demand.

Ex Estate offerings totalled 1.1M/Kgs. Overall quality of offerings from the Western planting districts were barely maintained whilst a few select Uva’s showed some seasonal improvement. Western BOP’s on average appreciated Rs. 10/- per kg, whilst the corresponding BOPF’s gained Rs. 10-20/- per kg. Nuwara Eliya select improved teas gained Rs. 20/- per kg and more, whilst others were irregular following quality. Udapussellawa BOP’s were irregular and often difficult of sale, whilst the corresponding BOPF’s were firm and upto Rs. 10/- per kg dearer for clean leaf teas. Poorer sorts were difficult of sale. Uva’s - select improved seasonal teas were substantially dearer, whilst other clean leaf coloury sorts gained Rs. 10/- per kg; here again, poorer sorts were difficult of sale. High and Medium Grown CTC BP1’s were firm and upto Rs. 10/- per kg lower, whilst the corresponding PF1’s were firm and upto Rs. 10/- per kg dearer. Low Grown CTC’s were often Rs. 10-20/- per kg lower. Liquoring leafy teas continued to meet with selective demand and prices for these teas ranged between Rs. 400/- and Rs. 700/- per kg. Shippers to UK and the Continent bid selectively following quality, whilst there was improved interest from Shippers to CIS on a fair cross section of teas.

Low Growns comprised of 3.4M/kgs in the Leafy/Tippy catalogues. There was fair demand at slightly lower levels. In the Leafy catalogues a few select best BOP1/OP1’s together with a limited selection of clean below best teas maintained. Others were mostly lower to last. OP/OPA’s too were lower Rs.5-10/- per kg with the exception of a few clean leaf tea at the lower end which held firm. Select best PEK/PEK1’s maintained whilst others were barely steady. In the Tippy catalogues too select best FBOP/FF1’s together with a range clean below best maintained. Others were mostly lower to last. Well made Tippy invoices too sold around last levels. Here again others were mostly irregular and lower. Shippers to CIS, Turkey, Dubai, Iraq Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were active this week.