Good demand at tea auctions

Thursday, 27 July 2017 01:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Forbes and

Walker Tea Brokers

This week’s auction offerings declined to a 6.7M/kgs vis-à-vis a 7M/kgs on offer the previous week. There was good demand particularly for the better teas.

Ex Estate offerings were fairly similar to last and totalled 0.8M/kgs. Quality of offerings from the Western planting districts were irregular whilst Nuwara Eliya showed a decline. Teas from the Eastern sector showed no significant change. Best Western BOP/BOPF’s gained Rs.20/- per kg and more following special inquiry. BOP’s in the below best category were irregular whilst corresponding BOPF gained Rs.10-20/- per kg. Plainer BOP’s gained up to Rs.30/- per kg whilst corresponding BOPF which were Rs.20/- per kg dearer at the commencement declined to last week’s levels by the close. Nuwara Eliya – BOP’s declined Rs.20/- per kg whilst BOPF were irregular. Uva/Udapussellawa BOP’s gained Rs.10-20/- per kg for the better types whilst others were irregular. Corresponding BOPF, Udapussellawa’s irregular following quality. Uva’s – Clean leaf teas Rs.10-20/- per kg dearer, others irregular. CTC BP1’s were Rs.20/- per kg dearer whilst the PF1’s were Rs.10-20/- per kg dearer in most instances. Liquoring leafy teas continued to meet with restricted demand.

There was strong demand from CIS, China, Japan and Hong Kong whilst UK and the continent continued to be selective.

Low Growns totalled 3.3M/kgs in the Leafy/ Tippy catalogues this week. There was good demand particularly in respect of well-made teas. In the Leafy catalogue BOP1/OP1’s were fully firm to dearer barring a few stalky types at the lower end which were easier. Better OP/OPA’s too were mostly firm. Here again the stalky teas at the lower end were barely steady. Better PEK/PEK1’s though irregular were mostly firm. Others and bolder PEK’s were irregular with the teas at the lower end declining Rs.5-10/- per kg and more. In the Tippy catalogue select best FBOP/FF1’s together with the cleaner secondaries were fully firm to dearer. At the lower end the fibry sorts were mostly easier. In the Premium catalogue too, a similar trend was witnessed with the better well-made teas being fully firm whilst the others were easier following quality. There was good demand from shippers to CIS, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Dubai, Kuwait and Turkey.