Work on the plantations in the higher elevations was disrupted by the Deepavali holiday on November 14, and absenteeism resulting therefrom, an Asia Siyaka report said. Attendance the day before was poor, and workers trickled in only by Saturday.

Due to heavy cropping, most plantations work was over the weekend. But it is likely that next month’s second sale would be affected as a result. The reduced lots on offer would in fact assist the trade as the number of working days leading to the sale of December 11/12 would be restricted during the post election period.

The last tea auction for the year would be held on December 18/19 as the main sale catalogues would close before the election. Thereafter, the first sale in January will see reduced quantities, particularly for the low grown teas, as the movement of vehicles could be restricted and factory workers would not have returned after the election. Should the weather remain constant, auction quantities will increase sharply thereafter.

A Forbes and Walker report said that at last week’s auction, the total auction average recorded Rs 157.02 per kilo, which is an all time high weekly sale average, surpassing the previous record weekly average of Rs 155.87 realised at the sale of January 17.

Meanwhile, a total of 5.8 million kilos came under the hammer at this week’s auction. At Tuesday’s low grown sale, most varieties witnessed a lower trend in prices, except for a cross-section of OP/OPAs at the lower end of the market which appreciated in value.

In the ex-estate catalogue, offerings totalled a small weight of 680,000 kg. Quality was irregular and mostly lower. There was good demand, although, prices for the better liquoring teas were often lower, following quality.

Nevertheless, the encouraging feature was for the improved demand for teas at the lower end of the market which often appreciated by Rs 5 per kg and more, and these teas were competed, mainly by buyers from shippers to the CIS and the Middle-East. Off grades and Dusts were once again a strong feature, and often appreciated in value.

A John Keells report said that a slowing down in demand was noticeable in the ex-estate sale for main grade liquoring teas. In the low grown sale too, the Middle-Eastern and the CIS buying appeared to have started weakening, but it was encouraging to witness the best teas maintaining healthy levels.

Once again, there was excellent demand for off grades and dust with liquoring off grades suitable for tea bags obtaining prices of around Rs 140 and Rs 150. These two categories are expected to weaken in the ensuing sales.

Cropping conditions have improved, and along with the improvement seen in the harvest, should the product quality decline, ‘a drop in the market would be quicker.’ Estates that maintain good product quality will be rewarded with satisfactory prices, even as the market weakens.

‘With the improvement in the crop resulting in increased quantities, the prices for the plain teas will drop fairly sharply.Teas in the below best category too will sell close to the bottom end,’ John Keells said.

However, teas with good leaf and some merit in the liquor will sell well above the others. Further, in the below best and plainer category, BOPF will continue to sell above the BOP counterparts. The well made low grown too will continue to realise attractive prices, whilst prices for poorly made teas could drop fairly sharply. Clean off grades will sell much above the fibry invoices, while poor teas will be discounted and ‘difficult of sale.’