Demand continued strong and improved for the 122,540 packages (7,885,358kilos) on offer opening at steady levels and strengthened as the sale progressed with prices closely following quality. Only 9.30% teas remained unsold.

Best BP1s on offer were USC15 dearer with brighter categories firm to USC20 above last prices while mediums were well absorbed at USC8 to USC34 dearer but a few lines opened upto USC20 below last prices. Lower mediums were irregular and ranged between USC10 dearer to easier by a similar margin with plainer types upto USC10 dearer but poorer lines shed upto USC6.

The best PF1s appreciated by upto USC16 while brighter sorts were USC6 to USC22 dearer with mediums well competed for opening at USC10 dearer and were upto USC40 and more by the close but some invoices eased upto USC12 at the opening. Lower mediums gained upto USC20 with a few teas easing by similar rates while plainer types were upto USC12 dearer.

Best PDUSTs available were upto USC13 dearer with brighter category appreciating by upto USC22 while mediums were USC9 to USC26 dearer but a few lines opened upto USC10 easier. Lower mediums were upto USC20 above last prices with plainer sorts USC10 to USC26 dearer.

The best DUST1s on offer appreciated by upto USC18 with brighter categories fully firm to USC22 dearer while mediums gained USC12 to USC32. Lower medium DUST1s appreciated by upto USC16 with plainer types upto USC30 above last rates.

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

Pakistan Packers continued dominant and strengthened activity while Yemen, other Middle Eastern countries, Egyptian Packers and Sudan showed strong interest. Afghanistan and Bazaar were active while Kazakhstan and other CIS countries were fairly active. UK and Russia showed some interest but was selective with some line buying for Iran. Somalia showed strong enquiry.

Source - Africa Tea Brokers Limited