Tea auction sees good demand

Saturday, 19 August 2017 00:58 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

sfd Tea auctions this week had good demand, tea brokers said yesterday with a total of 7.5M/kgs coming under the hammer with positive demand from the Middle East.

Ex-Estate offerings totalled at 0.9M/kgs, Forbes and Walker said in their weekly tea statement. Quality of teas from the Western, Nuwara Eliya and Udapussellawa Districts showed no significant change whilst teas from the Uva Planting Districts were improved with a small selection of teas from the Malwatte Agro Climatic Region possessing seasonal quality/flavour.

Best Western BOPs declined Rs.20/- per kg whilst the corresponding BOPF were irregular following quality. BOP’s in the below best category declined Rs.10-20/- per kg whilst the plainer sorts were mostly firm. Corresponding BOPF which commenced at easier rates firmed up as the sale progressed.

Nuwara Eliya’s – BOP’s were irregular following quality whilst the BOPF declined Rs.20/- per kg. Udapussellawa’s were irregular and barely steady whilst Uva’s gained Rs.20/- per kg with prices for the seasonal teas fluctuating following quality and special inquiry.

CTC teas continued to sell well with select invoices in the Mid Grown category appreciating following special inquiry. There was fair interest from shippers to CIS whilst shippers to UK and the Continent were more active on select improved teas.

Low Growns comprising of 3.7M/kgs in the Leafy/ Tippy catalogues came up for sale this week. There was good demand particularly for the well-made teas. In the Leafy catalogue better BOP1/OP1’s were fully firm to dearer whilst others were mostly irregular.

Better OP/OPA’s too commenced around last levels but gained Rs.10-15/- per kg towards the close. At the lower end however poorer stalky varieties were irregular and were often lower. PEK/PEK1’s too were mostly firm barring a selection of below best teas which were irregular.

In the Tippy catalogue FBOP/FF1’s were fully firm to dearer particularly for the improved below best sorts. At the lower end too cleaner teas gained whilst the poor leaf sorts were easier. In the Premium catalogue better made teas were fully firm to dearer whilst others were irregular following quality. There was good demand from shippers to CIS, Turkey, Dubai, Libya, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.