Auction offering totalled 6.4 million Kgs, up from a 6.0 million Kgs on offer the previous week. Fair general demand and mostly a firm to easier trend in prices.
Ex-Estate offerings comprised of 0.8 million Kgs, up from a 0.7 million Kgs on offer the previous week. Overall quality of teas showed no significant change.
Best Western BOP/BOPF's - Select invoices appreciated by Rs. 20-40 per kg, whilst the others were irregular and firm to easier by a similar margin, particularly for the BOP's. In the Below Best category, select improved BOP's appreciated by up to Rs. 50 per kg, whilst the others were irregular.
Corresponding BOPF's followed a similar trend with improved invoices appreciating by Rs. 20-40 per kg and more, whilst the others were barely steady. At the lower end of the market, BOP's were firm and Rs. 20 per kg dearer. Corresponding BOPF's - Clean leaf types were firm, whilst the others were Rs. 20 per kg lower. Nuwara Eliyas' were generally firm and a slightly better outlook for the BOP/BOPF's. Uda Pussellawa BOP's gained by Rs. 20-40 per kg, whilst the corresponding BOPF's were lower by a similar margin. Uva BOP's were irregular, whilst the corresponding BOPF's sold around last week's levels.
CTC teas continued to sell around last week's levels.
The feature of the sale was the strong demand for the Large Leaf BOP's and the well-made Small Leaf PEK's which continued to sell well.
Less demand from shippers to the UK and the continent, whilst shippers to South Africa were selective. Shippers to Japan, China, the CIS and Middle Eastern sector continued to be reasonably active.
Low Growns totalled approximately 2.87 million Kgs with all categories witnessing fair demand.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, Select Best BOP1's together with teas at the bottom were firm, whilst the Best and bolder varieties were easier. Select Best OP1's together with Below Best and teas at the lower end were firm, whilst the Best declined. OP/OPA's, in general, were firm. Select Best and Best PEK's were firm, whilst the Below Best together with the mixed/open varieties were easier. Teas at the bottom maintained. PEK1's, in general, were lower.
In the Tippy catalogue, a selection of Select Best and Best FBOP's were firm, whilst the balance in general were lower. A few Select Best FF1's were firm on special inquiry, whilst the others were easier.
In the Premium catalogue, a selection of high-priced Tippy teas attracted good demand, whilst others in general were easier.
TEA AUCTION DETAILS
| AUCTION NO. | 05 | 04 | |||
| Dates | 02nd/03rd Feb 2026 | 27th/28th Jan 2026 | |||
| No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | ||
| Ex Estate | 801 | 784,524 | 844 | 806,690 | |
| High & Medium | 1,629 | 654,744 | 1,564 | 642,046 | |
| Leafy | 2,505 | 962,061 | 2,312 | 900,019 | |
| Semi Leafy | 1,839 | 798,991 | 1,794 | 778,194 | |
| Tippy | 2,104 | 1,013,558 | 2,209 | 1,062,997 | |
| Premium/Flowery | 458 | 62,362 | 441 | 61,812 | |
| Off Grades | 2,593 | 1,309,972 | 2,443 | 1,259,365 | |
| Dust | 564 | 503,510 | 568 | 513,275 | |
| Grand Total | 12,493 | 6,089,722 | 12,175 | 6,024,398 | |
(Source- Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers)
