Strong general demand for the 128,075 packages (8,350,540kilos) on offer with prices closely following quality. Only 13.77% remained without bids.

Best BP1s on offer met fair interest at USC5 dearer while brighter types saw improved enquiry gaining USC4 to USC20 with mediums irregularly USC14 to USC18 easier but a few better made lines were firm to USC5 dearer. Lower mediums met an irregular interest varying between USC10 to USC16 above last prices to easier by similar levels while plainer descriptions shed upto USC20 but a few improved invoices were dearer by similar rates.

The best PF1s available appreciated by upto USC22 with brighter sorts a strong feature and gained USC20 to USC50 while mediums were well competed for at USC8 to USC46 dearer. Lower mediums were irregular due to appearance and varied between USC10 below last levels with some lines neglected but a few improved line gained by a similar level while plainer types saw better absorption at firm to USC20 dearer but poorer lines lost upto USC12 and some teas remained unsold.

Best PDUSTs appreciated by upto USC12 with quality while brighter categories met strong interest at USC20 to USC46 dearer with mediums gaining USC12 to USC36. Lower medium PDUSTs ranged between USC20 to USC28 above last prices to easier by upto USC16 with a few teas remaining unsold while plainer sorts held firm to USC30 dearer but poorer lines were unsold.

The best DUST1s offered were upto USC2 dearer with brighter descriptions appreciating by USC20 to USC30 while mediums were irregular with cleaner coloury lines gaining upto USC46 but others were irregularly USC6 to USC20 easier with some teas remaining unsold. Lower mediums were firm to USC20 dearer with plainer varieties firm to USC16 dearer but poorer invoices were neglected.

In the secondary catalogues the BPs were firm. Brighter PFs gained while others were discounted. Clean well sorted coloury Fannings gained while similar DUSTs held value. Other Fannings were about firm while DUSTs depreciated. BMFs were well absorbed.

Pakistan Packers showed strong support and were dominant while Afghanistan lent strong activity with more interest from Egyptian Packers, Yemen other Middle Eastern countries and Bazaar. UK showed more activity but was selective while Kazakhstan and other CIS countries were very selective and there was less interest from Sudan. Russia was operating but Iran was quiet. Somalia maintained activity.

Source - Africa Tea Brokers Limited