Sale No. 2 concluded today was a one-day restricted Auction comprising of a limited volume of 4.0 million Kgs. Low Grown/Large Leaf teas continued to meet with reasonably good demand, whilst the High & Mid Grown Small Leaf types witnessed a sluggish sale with high volumes of unsold teas.
Ex-Estate offerings comprised of 0.74 million Kgs. Overall quality of teas were disappointing for the time of year. Overall prices were irregular and mostly easier.
High Grown Western BOP/BOPF's - A few select invoices appreciated by up to Rs. 50 per kg, whilst the others declined by a similar margin and more following quality. In the Below Best and Plainer categories too, a few select BOP's appreciated by up to Rs. 50 per kg, whilst the others declined by a similar margin. Corresponding BOPF's - A selection of teas in the higher price bracket appreciated by Rs. 50 per kg following quality, whilst the others were substantially easier. BOPF's at the lower end of the market declined by Rs. 20-40 per kg. Nuwara Eliya - A few select BOP/BOPF's sold around last week's levels, whilst the others were unsold due to a lack of any suitable bids. Uva/Uda Pussellawa BOP's were generally firm. Corresponding BOPF's - Uda Pussellawas' sold around last. Uva - High-priced teas declined by up to Rs. 50 per kg, whilst the others were Rs. 20-40 per kg easier.
High & Mid Grown CTC teas too followed a similar trend and prices were mostly firm to easier with select high-priced PF1's in the High Grown category recording a substantial price drop. Corresponding Low Grown varieties sold around last week's levels.
Less activity from shippers to the UK, China and South Africa, whilst there was selective interest from shippers to Japan. Shippers to the CIS remained active at lower levels to last.
Low Growns comprised of 1.8 million Kgs. All categories met with fair demand.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, a few high-priced BOP1's appreciated, whilst the Best varieties were firm. The balance together with the bolder varieties were easier. Select Best and Best OP1's were firm to dearer, whilst the balance sold around last levels. High-priced OP's declined, whilst the balance were firm. OPA's, in general, were firm. High-priced PEK/PEK1's appreciated, whilst the Best sold around last levels. The Below Best together with the mixed varieties were easier, whilst the teas at the bottom in general appreciated.
In the Tippy catalogue, FBOP's in general were firm on last. Well-made FF1's were firm to easier, whilst the cleaner Below Best and clean leaf teas at the bottom were firm. The balance were irregular.
In the Premium catalogue, the smaller Very Tippy varieties were firm, whilst the leafier types appreciated. Best and Below Best together with teas at the bottom were firm on last.
TEA AUCTION DETAILS
| AUCTION NO. | 04 | 03 | |||
| Dates | 28th / 29th Jan 2025 | 21st / 22nd Jan 2025 | |||
| No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | ||
| Ex Estate | 948 | 933,154 | 926 | 952,916 | |
| High & Medium | 1,743 | 793,253 | 1,808 | 852,082 | |
| Leafy | 2,124 | 838,095 | 2,090 | 874,818 | |
| Semi Leafy | 1,878 | 879,651 | 1,744 | 871,786 | |
| Tippy | 2,471 | 1,248,276 | 2,509 | 1,317,870 | |
| Premium/Flowery | 481 | 74,712 | 362 | 59,861 | |
| Off Grades | 2,263 | 1,168,293 | 2,605 | 1,352,590 | |
| Dust | 544 | 497,036 | 599 | 549,064 | |
| Grand Total | 12,452 | 6,432,470 | 12,643 | 6,830,987 | |
(Source- Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers)
