Auction offerings were similar to last and totalled 5.4 million Kgs. There was fair general demand. The recent depreciation in the Sri Lankan Rupee helped stabilise the market, particularly for the Leafy/Low Grown teas. The liquoring BOP/BOPF's met with less demand and a firm to easier trend in prices, perhaps in the backdrop of lower quality and anticipation of greater availability in the forthcoming sales.
Ex-Estate offerings comprised of 0.87 million Kgs, marginally higher than the previous week's offerings. Less demand and selective buying following quality. Teas from the Western/Nuwara Eliya regions showed a decline for teas in the Best category, whilst the others showed no significant change.
Best Western BOP/BOPF's, in general, declined Rs. 20-40 per kg in most instances. In the Below Best and Plainer categories too, a firm to easier trend in prices were observed with the demand factor waning off towards the latter part of the sale. Nuwara Eliyas' in the backdrop of plainer quality were neglected and mostly unsold. Uda Pussellawas' followed a similar trend with the corresponding BOPF's, in particular, recording a sharp decline. Uva - Better BOP's were generally firm, whilst the corresponding BOPF's were marginally easier by up to Rs. 20 per kg. Here again, the poorer sorts declined by up to Rs. 50 per kg.
High & Mid Grown CTC teas - BP1's had hardly any offerings. PF1's - Better teas declined by up to Rs. 40 per kg and Rs. 20-40 per kg respectively for the High Grown and Medium Grown categories.
Corresponding Low Grown varieties - Here again, there were hardly offerings of BP1's. PF1's - Better teas were mostly firm, whilst the poorer sorts were irregularly easier.
Less activity from shippers to the Western markets. Shippers to the CIS and Middle East continued to be active at lower levels, whilst shippers to Japan and South Africa bid in a fairly selective manner.
Low Growns totalled approximately 2.0 million Kgs. All categories met with fair demand.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, BOP1's in general were firm. Select Best and Best OP1's were lower, whilst the Below Best together with the clean leaf teas at the bottom were firm to dearer. High-priced OP/OPA's maintained, whilst the balance were firm. Select Best PEK's appreciated, whilst the Best varieties were lower. However, the balance appreciated. PEK1's, in general, were firm.
In the Tippy catalogue, Select Best FBOP's were irregularly easier, whilst the balance sold around last levels. Well-made FF1's were irregular, whilst the balance were firm to dearer.
In the Premium catalogue, Very Tippy teas met with good demand and were firm, whilst the balance sold around last levels. However, a selection of leafier types gained in value.
TEA AUCTION DETAILS
| AUCTION NO. | 19 | 18 | ||
| Dates | 19th/20th May 2026 | 12th/13th May 2026 | ||
| No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | No. of Lots | No. of Kgs | |
| Ex Estate | 1,051 | 1,111,001 | 1,054 | 1,089,727 |
| High & Medium | 1,849 | 919,897 | 1,696 | 810,003 |
| Leafy | 2,269 | 900,860 | 1,949 | 757,156 |
| Semi Leafy | 1,695 | 720,555 | 1,415 | 599,882 |
| Tippy | 2,095 | 1,017,982 | 1,770 | 866,380 |
| Premium/Flowery | 278 | 39,530 | 244 | 34,092 |
| Off Grades | 2,278 | 1,206,502 | 1,993 | 1,014,586 |
| Dust | 673 | 645,768 | 656 | 617,350 |
| Grand Total | 12,188 | 6,562,095 | 10,777 | 5,789,176 |
(Source- Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers)
