The weekly tea auction saw a total offering of 6.4 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs), up from 6.0 M/Kgs the previous week, with fair general demand and mostly firm to easier price trends.
Ex-Estate offerings rose to 0.8 M/Kgs from 0.7 M/Kgs, with overall tea quality remaining stable. Best Western BOP/BOPFs – Select invoices appreciated by Rs. 20-40 per kilogramme, while other categories were irregular, generally firm to easier by a similar margin.
In the Below Best category, select improved BOPs rose by up to Rs. 50 per kilogramme, with other invoices irregular. Corresponding BOPFs followed a similar trend, with improved invoices up Rs. 20-40 per kilogramme, while others were barely steady. Lower-end BOPs were firm and Rs. 20 per kilogramme dearer, while clean-leaf BOPFs were firm and others Rs. 20 lower.
Nuwara Eliya teas were generally firm, with a slightly improved outlook for BOP/BOPFs. Uda Pussellawa BOPs gained Rs. 20-40 per kilogramme, while the corresponding BOPFs declined by a similar margin. Uva BOPs were irregular, and BOPFs sold at levels similar to last week. CTC teas largely held steady.
Strong demand was noted for Large Leaf BOPs and well-made Small Leaf PEKs. Demand from UK and continental shippers was weaker, South African buyers were selective, and buyers from Japan, China, CIS, and the Middle East remained reasonably active.
Low Grown teas totalled around 2.87 M/Kgs, with fair demand across all categories. In Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, Select Best BOP1s and bottom-end teas were firm, while Best and bolder varieties eased. Select Best OP1s, Below Best, and lower-end teas were firm, while Best declined. OP/OPAs were generally firm. Select Best and Best PEKs were firm, while Below Best and mixed/open varieties eased, and PEK1s were generally lower.
In the Tippy catalogue, some Select Best and Best FBOPs were firm, while the rest eased. Select Best FF1s sold firm on special inquiry, with others easier. In the Premium catalogue, high-priced Tippy teas attracted good demand, while the remaining teas were generally easier.
