The quantity of tea arriving at the Colombo Auction this week decreased from 6,642,495.00 Kgs to 5,415,117.00 Kgs which traded in the previous week’s auction, whilst the Ex-estate quantity decreased from 963,415.00 Kgs to 834,340.00 Kgs.

MARKET SEGMENTS: In the Ex-Estate Category: Best western BOP’s were lower by Rs.10-20 per Kg, BOPF’s were firm and dearer by Rs.20-30 per Kg. Below best BOP’s were firm, BOPF’s were firm and Rs.10-20 per Kg dearer. Plainer BOP/BOPF’s were irregular and barely steady. Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPF’s were firm. Udapussellawa BOP’s declined by Rs.20 per Kg, BOPF’s were firm and dearer by a similar margin. Uva BOP’s were firm, BOPF’s were dearer by Rs.10-20 per Kg. CTC – BP1’s were firm Kg. PF1’s were fully firm.

Low Grown Leafy Market Segment:  A few select Best OP1’s maintained, whilst others declined. Improved Below Best varieties gained, whilst poorer sorts maintained. Select Best BOP1’s together with a range of improved Below Best varieties were fully firm, whilst others where quality did not maintain prices were marginally easier. Teas at the lower end were fully firm. Select Best OP’s together with improved Below Best varieties gained, whilst others and poorer sorts maintained. Select Best together with improved Below Best varieties were fully firm to selectively dearer, whilst others and poorer sorts maintained. Select Best PEK’s maintained, whilst corresponding PEK1’s were barely steady. A range of improved Below Best PEK/PEK1’s maintained, whilst others where quality did not maintain prices were barely steady. Teas at the lower end maintained.

In the Tippy Market Segment:  Few select Best FBOP’s were firm. Balance together with Best were marginally easier. Cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom sold around last levels. Others eased following quality. FF – Very Tippy teas continued to attract good demand. Best together with cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom firm. Balance were irregular following quality. Well-made FF1’s were firm to marginally easier, whilst cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom sold around last levels. Others were irregular following quality.