Much improved demand for the 141,725 packages (9,054,005 kilos) on offer at dearer rates. Only 11.52% remained unsold.

The best BP1s available held firm to USC2 dearer with brighter types firm to USC18 dearer while mediums were irregular varying between USC8 to USC38 and more dearer to easier by upto USC32. Lower mediums saw better absorption at firm to USC36 above last prices while plainer descriptions were irregular and ranged between USC16 above last rates to easier by upto USC6.

The best PF1s gained upto USC12 while brighter categories appreciated by USC8 to USC20 with mediums a strong feature at USC10 to USC40 and more dearer. Lower medium PF1s were steady to USC18 dearer with plainer sorts USC2 to USC12 above last prices.

The best PDUSTs available were fully firm while brighter types rose by USC10 to USC24 and more with the sale. Medium PDUSTs appreciated by USC5 to USC20 with lower mediums firm to USC16 above last levels while plainer sorts saw an irregular enquiry ranging between USC4 to USC8 dearer to easier by upto USC2.

The few best DUST1s on offer met better interest at USC10 dearer while brighter types gained USC6 to USC48 with mediums well competed for and appreciated by USC5 to USC44. Lower mediums varied between USC6 to USC18 dearer to easier by upto USC30 with plainer category steady to USC24 dearer.

In the secondary catalogues BPs gained while PFs were dearer. Clean well sorted coloury Fannings and similar DUSTs appreciated. Other Fannings gained while similar DUSTs were steady. BMFs were dearer.

Pakistan Packers were dominant and lent strong support with strong interest from Yemen and other Middle Eastern countries. There was more activity from Egyptian Packers, UK, Bazaar, Kazakhstan, other CIS countries and Sudan. Afghanistan maintained interest with some enquiry from Russia. Iran was subdued. Somalia was more active at the lower end of the market.

Source - Africa Tea Brokers Limited