The quantity of tea arriving at the Colombo Auction this week increased from 4,929,426.00 Kgs to 4,946,365.00 Kgs which was traded in the previous week’s auction, whilst the Ex-estate quantity increased from 618,821.00 Kgs to 651,000.00 Kgs.

MARKET SEGMENTS: In the Ex-Estate Category: Best western BOP/BOPF’s were mostly firm. BOPF’s were firm and selectively dearer.  Below best coloury BOP’s were dearer by Rs.10-20 per Kg. Others were lower by a similar margin, BOPF’s coloury sorts were dearer by Rs.20-30 per Kg. Others sold around last week levels.  Nuwara Eliya BOP’s were barely steady, BOPF’s were mostly unsold.   Udapussellawa BOP’s declined Rs.20 per Kg and more.  BOPF’s were firm and dearer.  Uva BOP’s were irregular.  BOPF’s clean leaf were dearer by Rs.10 per Kg.  Others were irregular following quality.  CTC – BP1’s were irregular.  PF1’s were fully firm.

Low Grown Leafy Market Segment:  Select Best OP1’s together with clean Below Best varieties gained substantially, whilst others and poorer sorts too gained to a lesser extent. Select Best BOP1’s together with clean Below Best varieties gained, whilst others and poorer sorts too were fully firm to selectively dearer. Select Best OP’s maintained, whilst a range of improved Below Best varieties gained. Teas at the bottom end were fully firm to selectively dearer. Select Best OPA’s though irregular were firm, whilst improved Below Best varieties gained. Others and poorer sorts were fully firm to dearer. Select Best PEK/PEK1’s were fully firm, whilst a range of improved Below Best varieties was maintained. Others where quality did not maintain and mixed varieties in particular prices were easier. Teas at the bottom end were fully firm.

In the Tippy Market Segment:  Well-made FBOP’s appreciated, whilst cleaner secondaries and cleaner teas at the bottom gained substantially. Balance gained to a lesser extent. FF – Very Tippy teas continued to attract good demand. Best were firm to selectively dearer, whilst cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom appreciated. Balance sold around the last levels.  Well-made FF1’s appreciated. Cleaner Below Best together with cleaner teas at the bottom folloa wed similar trend. Balance were firm to selectively dearer.