Overall Auction offerings totalled 5.2 million Kgs. Leafy/Low Grown types continued to meet with reasonably good demand notwithstanding price fluctuations within grades, whilst the High & Medium Grown liquoring leafies witnessed an easier trend in prices except for the Select Best. Orthodox/Rotovane BOP/BOPF's sold well in the backdrop of limited availability.
Ex-Estate offerings were similar to last and totalled 0.66 million Kgs. Overall quality showed no significant change and had on offer a reasonable product quality for the time of year.
Westerns in the Best and Below Best category continued to sell well with select invoices gaining by Rs. 20-40 per kg, whilst the others often declined by a similar margin following quality. Other BOP/BOPF's sold around last levels. Nuwara Eliya and Uda Pussellawa BOP/BOPF's continued to be a weak feature. Uvas' sold well and ironically, the BOP's secured a premium.
CTC teas continued to sell around last with the Low Grown varieties securing a premium.
There appeared to be limited interest from the UK and the continent. Shippers to Japan and China were fairly active together with selective buying from South Africa, whilst shippers to the CIS and Middle East continued to be active.
Low Growns totalled approximately 2.4 million Kgs. All categories met with fair demand.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, Select Best and Best BOP1's were firm, whilst the Below Best together with the bolder varieties and teas at the bottom were easier. Well-made OP1's were firm to dearer, whilst the balance sold around last levels. Select Best and Best OP's were firm to dearer, whilst the balance together with OPA's declined. PEK's, in general, declined. Select Best and Best PEK1's were firm, whilst the Below Best and teas at the bottom were lower.
In the Tippy catalogue, Select Best FBOP's were easier, whilst the Best together with a few cleaner Below Best varieties maintained. Others, in general, were lower. Well-made FF1's sold around last levels, whilst the balance in general were easier.
In the Premium catalogue, Tippy teas in general were easier, whilst a selection of Below Best varieties were firm on last.
TEA AUCTION DETAILS
| AUCTION NO. | 44 | 43 | ||
| Dates | 10th/11th November 2026 | 03rd/04th November 2026 | ||
| No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | |
| Ex Estate | 687 | 658,970 | 682 | 658,461 |
| High & Medium | 1,869 | 823,391 | 1,596 | 700,330 |
| Leafy | 1,915 | 665,962 | 1,936 | 677,914 |
| Semi Leafy | 1,829 | 737,906 | 1,785 | 699,893 |
| Tippy | 2,097 | 931,899 | 1,944 | 862,475 |
| Premium/Flowery | 348 | 46,374 | 313 | 40,177 |
| Off Grades | 2,332 | 1,134,953 | 2,493 | 1,226,849 |
| Dust | 515 | 439,868 | 538 | 450,005 |
| Grand Total | 11,592 | 5,439,323 | 11,287 | 5,316,104 |
(Source- Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers)
