The total tea auction offerings this week amounted to 6.4 million kilogrammes, slightly lower than the 6.5 million kilogrammes offered the previous week.
Following the Iran-Israel ceasefire, increased market stability contributed to an overall upward trend in prices.
Ex-Estate offerings stood at 0.83 million kilogrammes, also marginally lower than the previous week’s 0.86 million kilogrammes, though overall tea quality showed slight improvement.
There was strong demand for better Western teas, which appreciated by Rs. 50–100 per kilogramme or more. However, BOP prices at the lower end weakened by up to Rs. 50, while BOPFs appreciated, widening the price gap in favour of BOPFs.
Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs remained mostly unsold due to poor quality. Uda Pussellawa teas were firm to slightly easier, while Uva BOP/BOPFs, especially the BOPF grades, were firm and dearer.
CTC tea offerings were limited, with BP1s scarce. PF1s from High and Mid Growns were firm and appreciated up to Rs. 50 per kilogramme for better teas, while Low Growns remained firm to marginally dearer.
Better quality teas fetched notably higher prices than lower-quality counterparts, providing strong encouragement to quality-conscious producers.
Selective buying was observed from shippers to the UK and the European continent, while those shipping to Japan, China, South Africa, the CIS, and the Middle East were also active.
Globally, a shortage of quality teas compared to plainer grades, coupled with lower overall auction volumes, suggests that tea prices are likely to remain strong in the coming weeks.
Low Growns, totalling around 2.5 million kilogrammes, saw good demand across all categories.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogue, Select Best and Best BOP1s were firm to dearer. Well-made OP1s and OPAs appreciated, though mixed and open varieties were irregular.
The Tippy catalogue saw cleaner FBOPs and FF1s appreciating, while the rest were mostly firm. In the Premium segment, Very Tippy and Best varieties recorded stronger demand and price increases.
