A total of 5.4million kg was on offer comprising of 9,304 Lots, which could be considered a low quantity for the time of year, in contrast to the corresponding sale in 2019 that had on offer 6.5 million kg comprising of 11,520 Lots.
Ex-Estate offerings were similar to last and totalled 0.6 million kg. Overall, quality was preferable with a better selection of teas on offer. There was strong demand for the BOPF grade with much less demand for the BOP's, which at times, were neglected. Best Western BOP's declined Rs. 30 per kg and more, whilst the corresponding BOPF's gained Rs. 10-20 per kg. In the Below Best category, BOP's were irregular, whilst the plainer sorts declined Rs. 30-50 per kg. Corresponding BOPF's were firm and Rs. 10-20 per kg dearer. Nuwara Eliya BOP's were mostly unsold, whilst the BOPF's gained up to Rs. 20 per kg. Uva/Uda Pussellawa BOP's were barely steady. Corresponding BOPF's, particularly from the Uda Pussellawa Region gained substantially at the commencement of the Sale and were dearer as the Sale progressed, whilst the others together with the Uva's were firm and up to Rs. 20 per kg dearer.
Low Growns comprised of 2.5 million kg in the Leafy/Tippy catalogues. There was good demand at lower levels. In the Leafy catalogue, better made BOP1/OP1's were lower to last, whilst a selection of clean teas in the Below Best category held firm. Better OP/OPA's too were mostly lower. Here again, there was better demand for the cleaner Below Best varieties which held firm. At the lower end, prices were generally easier to last. Select range of PEK/PEK1's maintained, whilst all others were irregular and lower to last. In the Tippy catalogue, FBOP/FF1's were generally easier to last barring a few selected well-made teas that maintained. At the lower end too, prices were generally lower to previous. In the Premium catalogue, there was good demand and prices were fully firm to dearer for most teas.
AUCTION NO. |
20 |
19 |
||
Dates |
26th/27th May 2020 |
20th/21st May 2020 |
||
Ex Estate |
571 |
652,666 kg |
547 |
628,380 kg |
| High & Medium | 1,292 |
656,500 kg |
1,262 |
658,908 kg |
|
Low Growns Leafy Tippy |
3,542 1,823 |
1,661,677 kg
|
3,474 1,814 |
1,695,550 kg |
Premium/Flowery |
247 |
47,844 kg |
225 |
46,905 kg |
Off Grades |
1,822 |
1,019,848 kg |
1,802 |
995,582 kg |
Dust |
357 |
350,251 kg |
321 |
317,290 kg |
Grand Total |
9,654 |
5,369,493 kg |
9,445 |
5,341,124 kg |
