The penultimate sale of the year concluded yesterday (16) and totalled 6.3 M/Kgs, which is the highest volume on offer at a given tea auction since 19 August (6.9 M/Kgs), Forbes and Walker said in its latest report.

"There was good demand," Forbes and Walker said.

"Ex-Estate offerings totalled approximately 1 M/Kgs, which is significantly higher to the auction offerings that have been averaging around 0.6 M/Kgs for a considerable period of time. There was good general demand at easier rates with buyers' following quality closely," it added.

Best Western BOP's declined Rs. 20- 30 per kg and more for select high priced teas of last week, whilst the corresponding BOPF's declined by Rs. 30-40 per kg.  In the Below Best category, BOP/BOPF's declined Rs. 10-20 per kg. At the lower end BOP's declined Rs. 10 per kg, whilst the corresponding BOPF's were firm and Rs. 10 per kg lower.

"The strength of the market was at the lower end, which is encouraging and perhaps augurs well for tea prices in the short term," Forbes and Walker said.

Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPF's continued to sell well. Uda Pussellawa BOP/BOPF's sold around last week's levels. Uva BOP's were firm, whilst the corresponding BOPF's declined Rs. 10-20 per kg and more following quality.

High and Medium Grown CTC teas continued to attract good demand, although prices tend to weaken for teas in the higher price bracket. Here again, the strength of the market remained at the lower end.

Corresponding Low Grown varieties - BP1's were mostly easier. PF1's - better teas continued to sell around last, whilst the others declined following quality and were difficult of sale.

"Low Growns comprised of approximately 2.7 M/Kgs in the Leafy/Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues. There was fair demand," Forbes and Walker said.

"In the Leafy/Semi Leafy catalogues, BOP1/OP1's were lower to last. However, teas at the bottom were fully firm. A selection of OP/OPA's maintained, whilst all others declined. Teas at the bottom were fully firm to dearer."

"Well-made PEK/PEK1's met with improved demand, whilst the others were dearer but to a lesser extent. In the Tippy catalogues, FBOP's together with the well-made FF1's maintained, whilst the Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom too sold around last levels. In the Premium catalogue, prices were lower barring a few teas in the Best category. However, the leafier varieties maintained," Forbes and Walker added.