This week's Auction offerings totalled 5.5 million Kgs, the lowest in 5 weeks of 6.0-plus million Kgs auctions. Large Leaf and Semi-Leafy type teas continued to sell well, whilst the Orthodox/Rotovane teas in general continued to encounter a bearish market sentiment.
Ex-Estate offerings comprised of 0.9 million Kgs, marginally down from the previous week's 1.0 million Kgs. Overall quality of teas showed no significant change.
Teas from the Western slopes, Best available BOP's - a few select invoices sold around last, whilst the others were substantially easier and mostly unsold due to a lack of suitable bids. Corresponding BOPF's, where quality was maintained, were firm and Rs. 20-40 per kg dearer, whilst the others were irregular and easier by a similar margin. In the Below Best category too, BOP's were mostly unsold due to a lack of suitable bids, whilst the teas at the lower end of the market continued to sell with a price drop of Rs. 20-40 per kg. Corresponding BOPF's were irregular, whilst here again, teas at the lower end of the market continued to sell around last week's levels. Nuwara Eliyas' continued to be most disappointing, where a majority of the teas remained unsold without a bid, in most instances. Uda Pussellawa BOP/BOPF's were substantially easier with a greater majority of the teas remaining unsold. Uva BOP/BOPF's declined by Rs. 20-40 per kg.
High & Medium Grown CTC teas continued weak though a few select invoices gathered momentum and sold at marginally higher levels to last. Corresponding Low Grown types sold well at firm to dearer rate in most instances.
Less activity from shippers to the UK and Europe. Selective buying from to Japan, China and South Africa, whilst shippers to the Middle East and the CIS absorbed a fair weight of offerings at firm to slightly easier levels.
Low Growns totalled approximately 1.8 million Kgs. Fair demand was witnessed in the Leafy, Semi-Leafy and Premium categories, whilst the Tippy/Small Leaf category met with good demand.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, a few high-priced BOP1's were dearer, whilst the balance sold at last levels. Teas at the lower end were easier. OP1's in general were dearer, whilst the teas at the bottom declined. Well-made OP's together with a selection of high-priced OPA's appreciated, whilst the balance were firm. High-priced PEK's were easier, whilst the balance together with the PEK1's sold around last.
In the Tippy catalogue, Select Best FBOP's sold at last levels, whilst the balance were firm to dearer. However, the mixed varieties were easier. FF1's, in general, appreciated.
In the Premium catalogue, Very Tippy teas were irregular following quality, whilst the balance were easier.
TEA AUCTION DETAILS
| AUCTION NO. | 26 | 25 | ||
| Dates | 07th/08th July 2026 | 30th June / 01st July 2026 | ||
| No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | |
| Ex Estate | 897 | 910,953 | 902 | 940,542 |
| High & Medium | 1,899 | 851,017 | 1,875 | 854,987 |
| Leafy | 2,307 | 927,569 | 2,242 | 905,663 |
| Semi Leafy | 1,532 | 622,321 | 1,575 | 642,536 |
| Tippy | 1,843 | 824,149 | 1,974 | 897,273 |
| Premium/Flowery | 358 | 50,252 | 329 | 44,960 |
| Off Grades | 2,542 | 1,336,538 | 2,496 | 1,255,023 |
| Dust | 591 | 536,078 | 761 | 701,040 |
| Grand Total | 11,969 | 6,058,877 | 12,154 | 6,242,024 |
(Source- Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers)
