Good demand for Low Growns

John Keells Tea Market Report:

The Lower production for the month was largely attributed to the effects of the dry weather and the delayed North Eastern inter monsoonal showers.

Although most planting districts are presently experiencing evening showers these have been inconsistent and sporadic, to make any impact on the October production. Last years October production of 26.6 mkgs will be hard to achieve.

During the period January to September 2011, lower production has been recorded from the High and Medium grown elevations. In contrast tea growing areas in the low grown have recorded a production increase of 1 Mkgs compared to last year.

The 0.86 mkgs. of Ex Estate teas on offer met with fair demand. Select Best Western High Grown BOP/BOPFs sold well gaining Rs 5 to Rs 10, whilst the Below Best types were firm. Plainer teas were firm to a little easier at times. A few brighter Nuwara Eliya BOPs appreciated Rs 10 to Rs 20, whilst the others were mostly firm. BOPFs declined Rs 5 to Rs 10 on average. Uva's fluctuated following quality with some coloury teas appreciating and the lighter brighter teas tending lower.

The Best Low Grown CTC PF1s were firm to a little dearer, whilst the Below Best types appreciated Rs 10 to Rs 15 on special inquiry. Plainer types were barely steady. High and Medium PF1s too were of a dearer market with price gains of Rs 10 to Rs 15 at the commencement, however concluded with some being firm to a little irregular.

The 3.4 mkg of Low Growns that were on offer last week, met with good demand. The well made Pekoe1s were slightly lower however the below best varieties maintained previous levels.

Bold Pekoes too sold around previous levels. The high priced OPAs declined. Others were fully firm, however the poorer sorts shed a few rupees. Select best BOP1s were fully firm, others were barely steady.

The best OP1s were irregularly dearer, the rest on offer declined several rupees. In the Small Leaf category, the best FBOPs were firm to dearer, the others declined Rs 10 to Rs 15. The poorer sorts were difficult of sale. Well made BOPs maintained, others were slightly easier. Considering the issues in the Middle East and North Africa, the demand was quite satisfactory. The Russian buyers continued their strong buying which is customary during the time of year.

The production from the Low Grown Planting Districts have not shown any significant improvement. The weather too continues to be rather hot and dry.

Western Teas

Select Best BOPs were firm to dearer, other good invoices gained Rs 10 to Rs 20 and more, Below Best sorts advanced Rs 5 to Rs 10, plainer varieties were firm to dearer. Select Best BOPFs advanced Rs 15 to Rs 20, other good invoices gained Rs 10 on average, Below Best sorts which were firm to dearer, eased as the sale progressed, plainer varieties were firm. Medium BOPs were firm. BOPFs gained Rs 10.

Nuwara Eliya Teas

Brighter BOPs advanced Rs 15 to Rs 20, others were firm. BOPFs shed Rs 10 to Rs 15 on average.

Uva Teas

Bright BOP/BOPFs were firm. Coloury BOPs maintained, whilst the BOPFs advanced Rs 10 to Rs 15. Uda Pussellawa BOPs advanced Rs 10. BOPFs gained Rs 15 to Rs 20 on average.

CTC Teas

Select Best Low Grown PF1s were firm, others gained Rs 10. BP1s gained Rs 20 to Rs 30. High and Medium PF1s advanced Rs 10 to Rs 15 following special inquiry. BP1s were firm.

Low Growns

Fair demand. Select Best OP1s appreciated Rs 5 to Rs 10, whilst the Best were firm, Below Best types and poorer sorts were irregularly lower Rs 5 to Rs 10 and more at times. Select Best BOP1s appreciated Rs 5 to Rs 10 following quality, whilst the Best types too were firm, Below Best types were irregularly lower Rs 3 to Rs 5, whilst the poorer sorts declined Rs 10 to Rs 15 and more at times. Select Best and Best OP/OPAs declined Rs 50 to Rs 60 and more at times, Below Best OPAs were firm to dearer Rs 3 to Rs 5, whilst OPs were irregularly lower Rs 3 to Rs 5, poorer sorts shed Rs 10 to Rs 15. Bold Pekoes were irregularly lower Rs 5 to Rs 10, whilst Pekoe1s were firm to dearer Rs 3 to Rs 5 following quality. Select Best and Best BOPs sold at attractive levels and appreciated Rs 5 to Rs 10, Below Best and poorer sorts maintained last levels.

Select Best and Best BOPSP were firm, Below Best were irregularly lower to last, poorer sorts were firm. Well made Select Best FBOPs appreciated Rs 5 to Rs 10, Best types were firm, Below Best and poorer sorts were lower by Rs 5 to Rs 10. Select Best and Best FBOPF1s were firm, Below Best and poorer types were lower by Rs 5 to Rs 10. Select Best Tippy sorts met with good demand and advanced above last, Below Best and poorer types met with irregular demand.