Westerns maintained a reasonable all-round standard, although seasonal teas were very few on offer. Nuwara Eliyas continued to have fair quality, whilst Uva/Uda Pussellawas were maintained. Low Growns were lower to last. 

COMMENTS

Auction No. 15 concluded today had on offer a total of 6.8 M/Kgs. Large Leaf/most Low Grown varieties met with less demand, whilst the High and Mid Grown Small Leaf varieties and particularly the BOPF grade, witnessed a buoyant market. Perhaps triggered by the uncertain trading conditions/anticipation of disruptions to the auctions in Kenya, combined with the weakening of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar. 

Ex-Estate offerings comprised of approximately 1.0 M/Kgs. Seasonal teas were very few though a fairly useful all-round standard was maintained. Excellent demand for most BOPF's and particularly, the coloury/full-bodied teas.

Majority of the Best Western BOP's declined Rs. 20 per kg and more following quality, whilst the corresponding BOPF's often gained Rs. 30-50 per kg. In the Below Best category, a selection of coloury BOP's gained Rs. 20 per kg, whilst the others declined by a similar margin. Corresponding BOPF's gained Rs. 20-40 per kg and more with the exception of the thin liquoring teas, which were firm to marginally dearer. At the lower end, BOP's were barely steady, whilst the corresponding BOPF's gained Rs. 20-30 per kg and here again, the exception would be the thinner liquoring teas which were discounted. The limited availability of Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPF's continued to sell well. Uda Pussellawa BOP/BOPF's were firm to dearer. Uva - select invoices of the BOP/BOPF's gained Rs. 30-40 per kg, whilst the others were firm and Rs. 20 per kg dearer. 

CTC teas, in general, witnessed a disappointing sale with the exception of select well-made coloury teas, which sold reasonably well.

Low Growns comprised of 2.9 M/Kgs in the Leafy/Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues. There was less demand and consequently, an increased volume of unsold teas, particularly in the Semi Leafy category.

BOP1/OP1's, in general, were easier. A selection of well-made OP/OPA's maintained, whilst the balance were lower. PEK/PEK1's which commenced at lower levels have declined substantially towards the closure with many invoices remaining unsold due to a lack of suitable bids. The PEK/PEK1 grades together with teas with a related leaf structure, primarily absorbed by the Turkish market, plunged following restrictions in trading conditions/the  depreciation in the Turkish Lira combined with the lockdown due to the increase in Covid-19 infections.

In the Tippy catalogues, FBOP/FF1's were firm to selectively dearer together with cleaner Below Best and bottom varieties., whilst the balance declined following quality.

In the Premium catalogues, very Tippy teas continued to attract good demand. Best and Below Best together with cleaner teas at the bottom appreciated, whilst the balance sold around last levels.

 SRI LANKA TEA PRODUCTION - MARCH 2021

Production shows signs of recovery with January-March 2021 gaining 20.35 M/kgs over the corresponding period of 2020

Sri Lanka tea production for the month of March 2021 totalled 28.41 M/kgs, showing an increase of 14.88 M/kgs vis-à-vis 13.53 M/kgs of Covid-19 affected March 2020. All elevations have shown substantial gains, with Low Growns in particular gaining 129% over the corresponding month of 2020.

January-March 2021 cumulative production totalled 74.03 M/kgs, recording a gain of 20.35 M/kgs vis-à-vis 53.68 M/kgs of January-March 2020. On a cumulative basis, all elevations have shown substantial gains, with the Low Growns in particular gaining 48% over the corresponding period of 2020.

Cumulative production of CTC teas (January-March 2021) totalled 6.58 M/kgs, recording a 1.26 M/kgs increase vis-à-vis 5.32 M/kgs of January-March 2020. In analysing the respective elevations, all elevations have shown a significant gain YOY when compared to the corresponding period of 2020 (See more details on Page No. 11).

 SRI LANKA TEA EXPORTS - MARCH 2021

 March 2021 FOB Value - Rs. 950.81 - Highest ever!

Tea Exports for the month of March 2021 totalled 25.81 M/kgs, showing an increase of 11.99 M/kgs vis-à-vis 13.83 M/kgs of Covid -19 affected March 2020. All main categories of exports (Bulk Tea, Tea Bags and Packeted Tea) have shown a substantial increase compared to the corresponding period of 2020. Total revenue of Rs. 24.54 B of March 2021 shows an increase of Rs. 12.97 B compared to Rs. 11.57 B of March 2020. The resulting FOB value of Rs. 950.81 (USD 4.86) records the highest ever FOB value, surpassing the previous highest of Rs. 940.09 (USD 4.87) recorded in February 2021. When compared to Rs. 836.74 (USD 4.60) of March 2020, records an increase of Rs. 114.07.

January-March 2021 cumulative exports totalled 69.89 M/kgs, showing an increase of 10.31 M/kgs vis-à-vis 59.58 M/kgs of January-March 2020. Here again, all main categories of exports (Bulk Tea, Tea Bags and Packeted Tea) have shown an increase compared to the corresponding period of 2020. Meanwhile, revenue of Rs. 65.62 B of January-March 2021 has recorded an increase of Rs. 16.38 B vis-à-vis Rs. 49.23 B of January-March 2020. Total FOB value of Rs. 938.97 (USD 4.87) shows a gain of Rs. 112.58 when compared to the Rs. 826.39 (USD 4.57) of January-March 2020. (See more details on Page No. 8).

Turkey has retained the No. 1 position as the major importer of Ceylon Tea, followed by Iraq and Russia with China occupying the 4^th position. Iran which has moved down to 9^th position from the 4^th position it occupied in 2020, records a fairly substantial decrease in imports during January-March 2021. Other noteworthy importers are the UAE, Azerbaijan, Libya and Syria. Meanwhile, destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Chile and the USA have recorded a fairly significant decrease in imports during the period under review. It is noteworthy that exports to China have increased substantially (160%) YoY. (See more details on Page No. 9).

Best Western's - majority of the teas declined Rs. 20 per kg and more following quality. In the Below Best category, few select coloury teas gained up to Rs. 20 per kg, whilst the others declined by a similar margin. At the lower end, clean leaf thin liquoring teas declined Rs. 20 per kg and more, whilst the others were firm. Nuwara Eliya's continued to sell well. Uda Pussellawa's were firm to marginally dearer. Uva's - select invoices gained Rs. 30-40 per kg whilst the others, where quality was not maintained, were firm and Rs. 20-30 per kg lower.

Best Western's - select high priced teas were irregular following quality, whilst the others gained Rs. 30-50 per kg. In the Below Best category, clean leaf coloury sorts gained Rs. 20-40 per kg and more, whilst the others were firm and dearer to a lesser extent. At the lower end, coloury teas gained Rs. 20-30 per kg, whilst the thin liquoring sorts were firm and dearer to a lesser extent. Nuwara Eliya's continued to sell well. Uda Pussellawa's were firm and Rs. 10-20 per kg dearer following quality. Uva's - select invoices gained Rs. 30-40 per kg, whilst the others were firm and up to Rs. 20 per kg dearer.

Well made OP/OPA's were easier Rs. 20-30 per kg and more at times whilst others too were irregularly easier.

A limited selection of Flavory PEK's that were available declined substantially and mostly unsellable. Well made Orthodox leafy PEK/PEK1's declined sharply whilst others too were easier Rs. 30 per kg and more at times. Rotovane PEK's in general were dearer.

A limited selection of Flavory FBOP's that were available were substantially dearer. Well made Orthodox FBOP's were easier Rs. 20 per kg and more at times whilst others were lower Rs. 20-30 per kg. Well made FF1's were easier Rs. 20 - 30 per kg whilst others too were irregularly easier.

Irregular following quality.

Clean leaf coloury sorts were Rs. 30-40 per kg dearer, whilst the others were irregular.

Well made OP/OPA's were easier Rs. 30 per kg and more at times whilst others together with the teas at the lower end too were irregularly easier.

Well made PEK's were easier Rs. 30 per kg whilst others shed Rs. 30 - 40 per kg and mostly unsellable. PEK1's in general were easier Rs. 30 per kg and more for the teas at the lower end.

Well made FBOPs were irregularly easier whilst others too declined Rs. 20 - 30 per kg. Well made FF1's were easier Rs. 20 - 30 per kg whilst others were firm on last.

BP1s - Rs. 10-20 per kg lower. PF1s - Select well-made coloury sorts were up to Rs. 20 per kg dearer, whilst the others were irregular and mostly easier.

BP1s - Rs. 20 per kg lower. PF1s - Clean leaf coloury sorts were firm, whilst the others were irregularly easier.

BP1s - Irregular and tended easier. PF1s - Rs. 10-20 per kg lower.

Best FGS/FGS1's were firm to selectively dearer Rs. 10 per kg, whilst the Below Best together with the poorer sorts were firm on last levels. Low Growns - Best varieties were dearer Rs. 10-20 per kg, whilst the Below Best and poorer sorts were firm to selectively dearer. CTC's - In general, firm on last.

BM's in general were firm on last levels, however, gained Rs. 10-20 per kg towards the closure of the sale. BP's too followed a similar trend.

Best varieties were easier by Rs. 10-20 per kg, whilst the bolder varieties declined by Rs. 20-30 per kg. The Below Best varieties remained irregular, whilst select invoices were easier by Rs. 20-40 per kg. The poorer sorts sold around last week's levels, whilst select invoices were lower by Rs. 10-20 per kg.

Select Best primaries gained Rs. 10-20 per kg. High Grown Dust1's in the Best category gained Rs. 20 per kg and more following quality and special inquiry. Below Best were irregularly dearer, whilst the others and poorer sorts were fully firm. Better mediums appreciated Rs. 10-20 per kg, whilst the others and poorer sorts sold at last levels. Select Best CTC's gained Rs. 10-20 per kg, whilst the others were firm. A few Best and Below Best varieties gained considerably following special inquiry, whilst the balance sold around last week's closing levels. Poorer sorts were firm to easier by Rs. 10 per kg and more. Better Low Growns declined considerably. Below Best sold around last levels, whilst the poorer sorts too followed a similar trend. 

Clean secondaries were fully firm. Below Best sold around last levels, whilst the others and poorer sorts gained Rs. 10-20 per kg and more. CTC's were generally firm. Low Growns sold at last levels.

Select Best and Best FBOPs were firm to selectively dearer. Cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom sold around last levels. Balance were easier following quality. FBOP1's in general were firm on last.

BOPs in general firm.

A few select Best BOP1s maintained, while others were irregular and mostly easier.

Select Best OP1s declined while a range of improved/ clean Below Best varieties maintained, all others were easier following quality. Teas at the bottom end maintained.  

A selection of well-made varieties were fully firm while improved/ clean Below Best varieties maintained. Teas at the lower end too followed a similar trend.

A few select Best OPAs maintained, while others and Below Best varieties were barely steady. Teas at the bottom end maintained.

Barring a selection of select Best PEK/PEK1s, all others commenced Rs. 10-20 lower but declined further and were mostly unsellable towards the close of the sale. Teas at the bottom end too were easier.

Well-made BOPF firm to selectively dearer. Balance were easier following quality.

Very Tippy teas continue to attract good demand. Best and Below Best together with cleaner teas at the bottom appreciated. Balance firm. Select Best and Best FF1s were firm to selectively dearer. Cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom were firm on last. Balance were easier following quality. 

For the period 12 - 18 April 2021

Western/Nuwara Eliya Regions

The Western and Nuwara Eliya regions reported bright mornings and overcast/wet evenings. The Department of Meteorology expects scattered showers in the Western Region and heavy showers in the Nuwara Eliya Region in the week ahead.

Uva/Udapussellawa Regions

Clear mornings and evening showers were reported in both regions throughout the week. Heavy showers are expected in the Uva Region in the week ahead by the Department of Meteorology.

Low Growns

Sunny mornings and evening showers were experienced in the Low Grown Region, whilst a few sub-districts in the Ruhuna Region reported dull evenings. According to the Department of Meteorology, scattered showers are predicted in the Ruhuna Region in the week ahead.

Crop Intake

The Western Region reported a slight decrease in the crop intake, whilst the Nuwara Eliya Region maintained. The Uva, Udapussellawa and Low Grown regions reported an increase in the crop intake.

Source : Sri Lanka Customs Statistical Dept.

There was good demand at firm to dearer levels.
BP1 were generally neglected.
PF1 - Bright and coloury lines were firm to dearer, lesser sorts neglected.
PF1SC were firm to dearer where sold.
PD were barely steady with lines neglected.
D1 were firm to dearer by 3 to 5USC.
Secondary teas met improved interest and sold 3 to 8USC up on last.

Courtesy - Tea Brokers Central Africa Limited.

SRI LANKA TEA CROP

CROP STATISTICS IN (Mn/kgs)  

C A T A L O G U E S

SALE NO. 17 - SCHEDULED FOR 4^TH/5^TH MAY 2021

The Ex Estate catalogue closed on 8 April 2021 excluding violations. The Main sale catalogues too closed on 8 April 2021 excluding violations.

SALE NO. 18 - SCHEDULED FOR 11^TH/12^TH MAY 2021

The Ex Estate and Main sale catalogues are scheduled to close on 22  April 2021.

SALE NO. 19 - SCHEDULED FOR 18^TH/19^TH MAY 2021

The Ex Estate and Main sale catalogues are scheduled to close on 29  April 2021.

The details of teas awaiting sale are given on the last page of this report.