Very strong and much improved demand for the 132,269 packages (8,542,152kilos) and prices appreciated with quality. Only 6.97% teas remained unsold.

Best BP1s on offer saw less enquiry and shed upto USC5 while brighter categories gained upto USC18 with mediums USC14 to USC30 dearer but a few lines eased by upto USC12 at the start. Lower medium BP1s held firm to USC20 above last prices but some lines shed upto USC8 while plainer descriptions were firm to USC20 dearer.

The best PF1s on offer gained upto USC10 with brighter types USC8 to USC32 dearer while mediums were strongly competed for opening at USC18 dearer and were upto USC44 above last levels towards the close. Lower mediums saw useful interest at USC12 to USC40 dearer while plainer sorts were upto USC42 above previous prices.

The best PDUSTs available were marginally dearer while brighter types appreciated by USC12 to USC32 with mediums well competed for and appreciated by USC12 to USC38. Lower medium PDUSTs saw better enquiry gaining USC5 to USC38 with plainer descriptions firm to USC40 above last prices.

Best DUST1s on offer were better absorbed at USC34 dearer while brighter category gained USC10 to USC28 with mediums USC12 to USC34 dearer. Lower mediums tended irregular varying between USC14 to USC36 above last rates to easier by upto USC20 with plainer sorts USC10 to USC40 dearer and much more for a few improved invoices.

In the secondary catalogues BPs were firm with PFs gaining. Clean well sorted coloury Fannings and similar DUSTs appreciated. Other Fannings and DUSTs were irregularly dearer. BMFs were well absorbed at dearer rates.

Pakistan Packers showed strong support and were dominant with improved and strong activity from Egyptian Packers and Afghanistan. There was much more interest from Yemen, other Middle Eastern countries, Bazaar, Kazakhstan, other CIS countries and Sudan. UK was more active but selective with some line buying from Russia but Iran remained subdued. Somalia showed more activity.

Source - Africa Tea Brokers Limited