CEYLON TEA AUCTION REPORT

SALE OF 23RD MAY 2001

MARKET
Restricted demand at lower levels.

WESTERNS
Best Westerns BOPs declined Rs. 12/- to 15/- and more. Teas in the below best category too eased Rs. 15/- to 20/- per Kg. At the bottom end teas were lower by Rs. 4/- to 8/- and at times more. A selection of the Best Western BOPFs on offer gained Rs. 2/- to Rs. 4/- per Kg. Others in the best and below best category lost Rs. 10/- to Rs. 20/- per Kg. Plainer sorts lost Rs. 15/- to Rs. 20/-

NUWARA ELIYA
Nuwara Eliya BOPs in general lost Rs. 6/- to Rs. 10/- and at times more. BOPFs in general lost Rs. 10/- to Rs. 12/- and more.

UVA/UDAPUSSELLAWAS
Better Uva/Udapussellawa BOPs were lower by Rs. 8/- to Rs. 14/-. Others lost Rs. 10/- to Rs. 12/- and at times more. BOPFs in general lost Rs. 10/- to Rs. 15/- per Kg.

LOW GROWNS
Best BOP1/OP1s fully firm to dearer, balance irregular. Clean OP/OPAs Rs. 2/-to Rs. 3/- dearer, PEKOEs on average Rs. 2/- to Rs. 4/- dearer. Better FBOPS/FBOPF1s gained Rs. 3/- to Rs. 5/-, others were mostly lower. Clean small leaf teas with tip too were dearer Rs. 2/- to 5/-, whilst prices at the bottom were lower.

DEMAND
Selective demand from UK, and the Continent for the better liquoring teas. CIS, Pakistan and Eygpt were active (LOW GROWN) There was good demand from CIS, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Dubai and Syria.