Tea auctions this week: A good sale

A total of 7.9m/kgs came under the hammer this week. There was better demand, particularly for the well made teas which consequently appreciated in value.

The volume of Ex-Estate offerings was slightly lower to last and totalled 1.4m/kgs. There was better demand all around with the exception of the Best Western BOPs and teas from the Nuwara Eliya region. All other BOP/BOPF gained by an average of Rs.5-10/-. A feature of the sale was the significant appreciation in prices of a select range of seasonal Uvas. A selection of liquoring leafy teas also appreciated significantly in value.    High & Mid Grown CTC PF1s witnessed a firm to dearer trend, whilst the Low Growns gained Rs.20-30/- per kg.

Off Grade/Dusts varieties which have been selling poorly in the recent past also witnessed a recovery in prices and here again the better sorts gained Rs.10-20/- in most instances.

Low Growns comprised of 3.7m/kgs, in the Leafy/Tippy Catalogues. There was good demand all around. In the Tippy Catalogues select best FBOPs/FF1s together with the Cleaner Secondaries gained Rs.5-10/- per kg. Well made Tippy invoices too gained on last, whilst, others were sold around last levels. At the lower end prices were fully firm for the cleaner types. In the Leafy Catalogues too, the better Pekoes/Pekoe1s/ BOP1s & OP1s were fully firm to dearer. Below Best together with the lower end teas met with better demand this week, resulting in prices gaining on last. High priced OP/OPAs were irregular and mostly lower, others together with the teas in the lower end were, however, fully firm to dearer. CIS, Dubai, Turkey, Iraq together with Kuwait were active this week. All in All a good sale!. (Courtesy: Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers).