John Keells Tea Market Report:

Good demand for Low Growns

Most of the tea growing areas in the Western sector recorded very heavy rains over the weekend, with the Eastern slopes too experiencing sporadic showers and overcast conditions.

If these rains persist, crop levels in the Western sector will drop further, and seasonal teas from the Uva sector will inevitably be delayed, until such time the rains finally ease off.

Sri Lanka tea production for June 2010 has yet again recorded a healthy gain of 5.8 mkgs compared to the corresponding period of 2009.

Once again it has been the Low growns that have contributed the major share with a gain of around 2.9 mkgs.

If this trend continues, we are likely to match upto to the all time record crop achieved in 2008 and possibly exceed by the year end.

As at end June 2010, the total Sri Lankan production amounted to 166.8 mkgs as against 132.2 mkgs during the corresponding period of 2009, showing an increase of 36.3 mkgs or 27.8 percent.

There was fair demand for the 1.1 mkgs of Ex estate teas on offer. The best Western High Grown BOPs were firm to irregularly lower, whilst BOPFs appreciated Rs 10 to Rs.15 on average.

The Below Best BOP/BOPFs were mostly firm and at times Rs 5 to Rs 10 easier. Plainer teas tended lower.

Nuwara Eliya BOPs barely maintained, whilst BOPFs appreciated as much as Rs 20 to Rs 25. A few improved BOP/BOPFs from the Eastern sector appreciated by Rs.10 to Rs.20, whilst some semi leafy invoices appreciated substantially.

A few High and Medium CTC PF1s sold well, gaining Rs 10 to Rs 15 whilst others mostly declined by a similar margin. Best Low Grown PF1s maintained, others showed an improvement.

The 3.6 mkg of Low Growns that were on offer this week, met with excellent demand. In the Leafy category, the best BOP1/OP1s advanced in value, whilst the below best were mainly firm, however some poor invoices declined several rupees.

Pekoes overall sold around last levels with the exception of the bold varieties where prices appreciated up to Rs 10 per kg. OP/OPAs too met with a firm market.

In the Small leaf category, FBOP/FF1s advanced in value, whilst the Tippy varieties too sold around last levels.

All In all it was another satisfactory sale.

Russia, Iran and Iraq were quite active, whilst Syria, Dubai, Jordon, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern markets also lent useful support.

Western Teas

Select Best BOPs declined Rs 5 to Rs 10, other good invoices were firm to easier, Below Best sorts declined Rs 10 to Rs 15, plainer varieties shed Rs 10 on average.

Select Best BOPFs advanced Rs 5 to Rs 10 and more at times, other good invoices were firm to Rs 5 dearer, Below Best sorts shed Rs 5 to Rs 10 on average, plainer varieties declined Rs 5 to Rs 10. Select Best Medium BOPs advanced Rs 10 to Rs 15, others were irregularly lower. BOPFs gained Rs 10 on average.

Nuwara Eliya Teas

BOPs shed Rs 10 to Rs 15, whilst the BOPFs advanced Rs 15 to Rs 20 and more as the sale progressed.

Uva Teas

Better BOPs on offer gained Rs 5 to Rs 10, others were irregularly lower. BOPFs were firm. Udapussellawa BOPs declined Rs 5 to Rs 10. BOPF were firm to easier.

CTC Teas

Select Best Low grown PF1s were firm, others gained Rs 15 to Rs 20 and more. BP1s were firm to dearer. A few High & Medium PF1s sold well on special inquiry, others declined Rs 10 to Rs 15 on average. BP1s were Rs 5 to Rs 10 lower.

Low Growns

Fair demand. Select Best OP1s were firm to Rs 5 to Rs 10 dearer, Best types maintained last levels, however the Below Best and poor sorts declined Rs 5 to Rs 10 following quality. Select Best BOP1s were irregularly lower by Rs 5 to Rs 10, Best types along with the Below Best types were firm, poor sorts were irregularly lower by Rs 5 to Rs.10. Select Best OPs were steady, the balance too were firm on last levels, poor stalky varieties tended low by Rs 5 to Rs 10. Select Best OPAs shed Rs 10 to Rs 15, Best types too were barely steady, Below Best sorts were fully firm, however the stalky types shed Rs 5 to Rs 10 and more at times.

Select Best Pekoes were firm to Rs 5 to Rs 10 dearer, the Best and Below Best types maintained last levels, however the flaky varieties tended low by Rs 5 to Rs 10. Shotty Pekoe1s eased Rs 5 to Rs 10, Best types were firm to Rs 5 to Rs 10 dearer at times, Below Best and poor sorts were steady.

Select Best and Best BOPs maintained last levels, Below Best types moved up Rs 5 to Rs 10, poor varieties maintained last levels. There was improved demand for small leaf grades.

Select Best BOP.SP maintained last levels, Best types moved up Rs 5 to Rs 10, Below Best and poor sorts were firm. Select Best FBOPs met with strong demand and advanced Rs 20, Best types moved Rs 10 to Rs 15 and at times more, Below Best and poorer sorts gained Rs 5 to Rs 10 and at times more as the sale progressed. Select Best FBOPF1 were firm, Best and Below Best types advanced Rs 10, the poorer types moved by Rs 5 to Rs 10. Select Best tippy varieties met with improved demand and advanced above last levels, Best types too advanced a few rupees on last, Below Best types were irregular, poorer sorts were irregularly lower.

Off Grades

Select Best liquoring FNGS1s appreciated Rs 5 to Rs 10, whilst Below Best and others were dearer by an average of Rs 10. Select Best and Best BMs appreciated Rs 10, whilst the poorer sorts were firm to lower by Rs 10. All BPs sold at firm levels.

All Low grown FNGS were lower by Rs 10. Select Best BOP1As were firm to dearer by Rs 10 , whilst the Best were firm on last levels, Below Best and poorer sorts , however shed Rs 5 to Rs 10 and more at times.

Dust

Select Best Dust1s were firm, whilst the improved Dust1s in the Best category gained Rs 10 to Rs 15,the Below Best types and the poor sorts declined Rs 10 to Rs 15. Clean secondaries were firm, whilst the Below Best types gained Rs 3 to Rs 5, poorer sorts too maintained last levels.

Best Low Grown Dust/Dust1s were firm, whilst the Below Best types advanced Rs 5 to Rs 10, poorer sorts declined Rs 5 to Rs 10.