History of Ceylon Tea

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s High, Medium and Low Growns prices were down at an auction on April 04, amidst the lower activity ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New year festival.

Total auction volume was 5.4 million kilograms and there was good general demand, Forbes and Walker tea brokers said in a report.

The weekly sale average fell to 1262.40 rupees from 1271.38 rupees a week ago, according to data.

High Growns

The High Grown sale average was down by 27.53 rupees to 1,281.45 from 1,308.98 rupees last week, Ceylon Tea Brokers said.

Ex-Estate offerings too were fairly similar to last and totalled 0.78 M/Kgs.

Overall quality showed a decline, particularly for the seasonal quality Westerns, Forbes and Walker said.

BOP prices fell by 50 rupees, BOPF prices fell by 80 rupees and the price of PF1 fell by 20 rupees per kilo.

As the sale progressed and a similar trend continued for teas at the lower end of the market as well.

Low Growns

The average price of Low Growns fell 1.58 rupees to 1,298.70 rupees.

Price of OP/OPA gained by 30 rupees while all the other prices remained stable.

Low Growns comprised 2.2 M/Kgs. Market met with fair demand.

In BOP1 a few select best were firm to selectively dearer, whilst best and below best maintained. Poorer sorts were firm.

Prices of OP1 were general and firm.

In PEKOE/PEKOE1 select best teas together with full range of bold PEK’s were firm. Cleaner below best and the rest were irregular.

Select best and best of FBOP/FBOP1 were firm on last, others were easier.

Medium Growns

The Medium Growns sale average fell 16.47 rupees to 1,102.22 rupees last week.

FBOPF1 and FBOP fell 100 rupees per kilo and PEK1 fell 50 rupees while OP1 grew by 150 rupees per kilo.

High & Medium Grown CTC teas – BP1’s had hardly any offerings, whilst the PF1’s which commenced firm to marginally easier declined further as the sale progressed with many invoices remaining unsold, Forbes and Walker said.

In BOP1, select best and best grew by 50 rupees per kilo whilst the others were steady.
Select best and best in PEK grew by 50 rupees per kilo whilst the others fell by 50 rupees.

In PEK1, teas at the best category lower by 100 rupees per kilo whilst the others also fell by 50 rupees. (Colombo/April9/2023)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Ceylon tea prices were down 50-100 rupees per kilogram at an auction on April 26, amidst good demand, data showed.

Total auction volume was 5.4 million kilograms and there was good general demand, Forbes and Walker tea brokers said in a report.

“Auction offerings increased marginally and totalled 5.4 M/Kgs. There was fair demand mostly at firm to easier rates. Unsold volumes recorded an increase and perhaps totalled around a 22%”

The weekly sale average fell by 6.77 rupees to 1252.92 rupees from 1259.69 rupees, according to data.

High Growns

The High Grown sale average was down by 25.90 rupees to 1,215.79 from 1,241.69 rupees, Ceylon Tea Brokers said.

Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.71 million kilos.

Overall quality of teas on offer were barely maintained with a limited availability of better liquoring teas, Forbes and Walker said.

BP1 and BOPF prices fell by 500 rupees and the price of BOP fell by 100 rupees per kilo.

Ceylon Tea brokers said, the drop in quality was the main reason for the price drop.

Low Growns

Price of OP1 and BOP1 went down by 50 rupees, OP/OPA went down by 70 rupees while PEK fell by 80 rupees.

Low Growns comprised 2.4 million kilos.

The average price of Low Grown however, gained 5.60 rupees to 1,315.51 rupees per kilo in the last auction.

Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues met with fair demand, whilst the Small Leaf categories were easier.

In the Leafy and Semi Leafy catalogues, high priced OP1/BOP1’s were firm, whilst the others where quality was not maintained met with less demand. OP/OPA’s, in general, were easier. Well-made PEK/PEK1’s maintained, whilst the others were irregular.

In the Tippy catalogues, well-made FBOP’s together with the cleaner Below Best were firm, whilst the balance were irregular. FF1’s, in general, were easier.

In the Premium catalogues, a selection of high priced Tippy teas sold around last levels, whilst all others declined.

Medium Growns

The Medium Growns sale average fell 27.62 rupees to 1,057.42 rupees last week.

FBOP and FBOPF1 fell 100 rupees per kilo and PEK fell 150 rupees per kilo.

High & Medium Grown CTC teas – High Grown BP1’s had hardly any offerings, Forbes and Walker said.

Shippers to the CIS operated on a wide cross-section of the offerings. Fair activity from South Africa and Japan, whilst the UK and the continent remained selective.