Auction offerings totalled 6.0 million Kgs and notwithstanding the higher volume, the first sale of the year began on a positive note with tea prices reflecting a firm to dearer trend, perhaps emanating from a combination of an absence of an auction last week, declining volumes and the recent depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee.
Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.8 million Kgs. There was no significant change in quality.
A selection of teas in the Best Western category appreciated by Rs. 50-100 per kg following special inquiry. In the Below Best category, a selection of BOP's gained by Rs. 50 per kg and more, whilst the others were firm and dearer to a lesser extent. Corresponding BOPF's continued to be irregular following quality. At the lower end, BOP's declined by up to Rs. 100 per kg with many withdrawals, whilst the corresponding BOPF's continued to sell at last week's levels. Weak prices for the Plainer BOP's have now widened the gap between the BOP/BOPF's at the lower end of the market, with the latter recording a premium of Rs. 150-200 per kg. Nuwara Eliya - A few select BOP's sold around last week's levels, whilst a greater a majority remained unsold due to a lack of suitable bids. Uda Pussellawas' - Cleaner leaf teas were firm and dearer, whilst the others sold around last week's levels. Uva - BOP's were mostly unsold due to lack of any suitable bids, whilst the corresponding BOPF's sold around last week's levels.
High & Mid Grown CTC teas continued to sell around last week's levels with Select Best PF1's in the High Grown category appreciating by up to Rs. 100 per kg in the backdrop of limited availability. Corresponding BP1's too - Better sorts often sold well. In the Mid and Low Grown categories - PF1's sold around last week's levels, whilst the BP1's were irregular.
Low Growns comprised of 2.4 million Kgs. All categories met with fair demand.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, Select Best BOP1's were dearer. Best varieties were firm, whilst the balance together with the bolder varieties appreciated. OP1's were firm to dearer. OP's, in general, were dearer. Well-made OPA's together with the Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom were firm to dearer, whilst the balance were irregular.
High-priced PEK/PEK1's appreciated. Best varieties sold around last levels, whilst the Below Best and mixed varieties were easier. However, teas at the bottom, in general, appreciated.
FBOP's, in general, were firm to dearer. Well-made FF1's were firm. Cleaner Below Best and clean leaf teas at the bottom were firm to dearer, whilst 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. | 03 | 02 | |||
| Dates | 21st / 22nd Jan 2025 | 15th Jan 2025 | |||
| No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | ||
| Ex Estate | 926 | 952,916 | 783 | 742,022 | |
| High & Medium | 1,808 | 852,082 | 955 | 422,987 | |
| Leafy | 2,090 | 874,818 | 1,633 | 583,809 | |
| Semi Leafy | 1,744 | 871,786 | 1,383 | 571,255 | |
| Tippy | 2,509 | 1,317,870 | 1,322 | 619,036 | |
| Premium/Flowery | 362 | 59,861 | 327 | 45,258 | |
| Off Grades | 2,605 | 1,352,590 | 1,613 | 802,913 | |
| Dust | 599 | 549,064 | 429 | 365,798 | |
| Grand Total | 12,643 | 6,830,987 | 8,445 | 4,153,078 | |
(Source- Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers)
