Tea
John Keells Tea Market Report:
Good demand from Russia, tea bag sector
The dry spell in the High Grown sector gave way to two days of light
showers towards the weekend. The scattered showers experienced, which
were slightly heavier in the Eastern sector is not likely to have an
impact on crop intakes or on the Uva quality season, as dry weather has
once again set in. Beginning with sales in August we could look forward
to improved bright teas coming through from the Eastern sector.
The climate change we are witnessing today, has resulted in increased
frequency of extreme weather. More spells of droughts and floods may be
what is in store for the future.
The climate change is affecting weather patterns all over the world.
The loss of life and extensive destruction to farm land in China due to
heavy flooding, and the worst droughts in 60 years has affected millions
of people in Northern Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea and South Sudan.
In January and February of this year Sri Lanka experienced worst ever
floods in recent decades and the signs are that we may witness another
extreme of a severe drought due to the failure of the South West
monsoonal rains.
The water levels in most of the reservoirs in the up country are
falling rapidly and will soon reach crisis levels if no rains are
experienced shortly.
Last week’s 1.47 mkgs of Ex Estate teas on offer met with fair demand
and prices for Western High Grown BOPs continued to be less sought after
with many invoices still selling below Rs 300 and Rs 10 to Rs 20 below
its counterparts.
The Best BOPFs on offer declined Rs 15 to Rs 20, whilst the Below
Best types commenced a little easier and appreciated as the sale
progressed.
The plainer types were firm to irregular. Nuwara Eliya BOPs were
irregular, whilst BOPFs appreciated Rs 5 to Rs 10, however most invoices
continued to sell below Rs 300. Uva BOP and BOPFs fluctuated following
quality with a similar price gap between the two grades as seen for the
Westerns.
The Best Low Grown CTC PF1s were firm to marginally easier, whilst
the Below Best and plainer types that were neglected for sometime showed
positive gains of Rs 15 to Rs 20.
High and Medium types too were mostly firm with a few invoices
gaining at times.
Brokens were irregularly lower.
There was good demand from Russia and the tea bag sector whilst UK,
Japan and Continental buyers were very selective.
The 3.4 mkg of Low Grown teas on offer at this week’s auction, met
with good demand for most varieties.
In the Leafy category, select best BOP1/OP1s met with good demand.
Better OP/OPAs advanced sharply whilst Pekoe and Pekoe1s were firm to Rs
5 to Rs 10 dearer.
However, teas at the bottom end for the leafy varieties continued to
be lower. In the Small leaf category, there was good demand for the FBOP
and FF1s and BOP and BOP.SPs appreciating in value by Rs 5 to Rs 10.
Best Tippy varieties too met with good demand and advanced above last.
There was excellent demand from Russia, CIS, Syria, Jordon, Saudi
Arabia, Dubai and other Middle Eastern countries.
Western Teas
A few Select Best BOPs sold well on special inquiry, others declined
Rs 10, Below Best sorts eased Rs 10 to Rs 15, plainer varieties declined
Rs 10. A few Select Best BOPFs were firm, others declined Rs 10 to Rs 15
Below Best sorts were irregularly dearer, plainer varieties were firm to
dearer. Medium BOP and BOPFs declined Rs 10 to Rs 15.
Nuwara Eliya Teas
BOPs were firm to Rs 10 easier. BOPFs were firm.
Uva Teas
BOPs were firm to irregular. Coloury BOPFs gained Rs 10 to Rs 15,
others were firm. Uda Pussellawa BOPs were firm to easier. BOPFs gained
Rs 10.
CTC Teas
A few Select Best Low Grown PF1s advanced following special inquiry,
others were firm to marginally easier, Below Best Low Grown CTCs
advanced Rs 10 to Rs 15 on average. High and Medium PF1s advanced Rs 10
to Rs 15 on average. BP1s declined Rs 10.
Low Growns
Good demand. Select Best OP1s eased Rs 5 to Rs 10, Best types were
firm to Rs 5 to Rs 10 dearer at times, Below Best and stalky varieties
declined Rs 10 to Rs 15.
Select Best BOP1s gained Rs 10 on average, however Best types were
irregularly lower by Rs 5 to Rs 10, Below Best and poor sorts were
steady.
Select Best OP and OPAs appreciated Rs 20 to Rs 40, Best types too
gained Rs 10 to Rs 15, clean Below Best varieties were dearer by Rs 5 to
Rs 10, others tended lower by Rs 5 to Rs 10. Select Best Pekoes declined
Rs 10 to Rs 20, however the balance were firm to Rs 5 to Rs 10 dearer.
Select Best Pekoe1s maintained last levels, Best types were irregularly
lower by Rs 5 to Rs 10, Below Best and poor sorts were firm. Select Best
and Best BOP/BOP.SPs advanced Rs 5 to Rs 10, Below Best and poorer sorts
maintained last levels. Select best and Best FBOPs advances Rs 5 to Rs
10 and at times more as the sale progressed. Below Best sorts were firm
to Rs 5 dearer at times, poor sorts were firm.
Select Best and Best FBOPF1s moved up Rs 5 to Rs 10. Below Best and
poor sorts too gained Rs 5 to Rs 10 Select Best and Best tippy sorts met
with good demand and advanced above last, Below Best and poor sorts too
gained by a few rupees.
Off Grades
Select Best liquoring Fngs1 sold on firm levels, whilst the Below
best and poorer sorts were lower by Rs 5 to Rs 10. Select Best and Best
BMs appreciated by Rs 10 to Rs 15, whilst the poorer sorts were lower by
Rs 5 to Rs 10. All Low Grown Fngs shed Rs 10. All BPs sold at firm
levels. Select Best BOP1As were firm to dearer by Rs 5 to Rs 10 whilst
Best were barely steady, Below Best and poorer sorts declined Rs 10 to
Rs 15 and more at times.
Dust
Select Best Dust1s appreciated Rs 5 to Rs 10, whilst the Best Dust1s
appreciated Rs 10 to Rs 15, Below Best types were firm, poorer sorts
were irregular. Clean secondaries were firm whilst the balance shed Rs
10 to Rs 15. All Low Grown Dust and Dust1s maintained last levels. |