Fairly good demand for the 108,114 packages (6,969,936kilos) at irregularly easier levels closely following quality with better absorption and only 21.12% remained unsold.

Best BP1s saw strong enquiry gaining upto USC40 with brighter categories firm to USC20 dearer but a few invoices were irregularly easier; mediums were a weak feature and ranged between USC4 to USC16 dearer to easier by a similar margin and some lines were neglected. Lower medium BP1s were easier by USC7 to USC18 but some improved invoices gained with quality while plainer descriptions were discounted by USC2 to USC16 with plainest neglected.

The best PF1s met less interest and shed USC19 while brighter types depreciated by USC14 to USC40 and more with mediums difficult of sale easing by USC12 to USC30 and many teas remained without bids. Lower mediums were better absorbed but shed upto USC20 with plainer sorts irregular varying between firm to USC16 dearer for a few improved teas to easier by upto USC40 and more particularly poorer teas.

Best PDUSTs held value with brighter descriptions irregularly easier by upto USC30 while mediums saw an irregular enquiry ranging between USC20 to USC34 dearer for the few improved lines to easier by a similar rate and some invoices were unsold. Lower medium PDUSTs although better absorbed were about steady to USC16 easier while plainer types were the weakest feature and lost USC8 to USC12 with very many teas neglected.

The best DUST1s shed upto USC2 with brighter sorts irregular varying between USC4 to USC10 above last levels to easier by similar rates while mediums eased by upto USC22. Lower mediums were irregular and varied between firm to USC4 dearer to easier by upto USC10 with plainer descriptions discounted by upto USC26 where sold.

In the secondary catalogues BPs were firm to dearer while PFs held value. Clean well-sorted coloury Fannings appreciated with DUSTs steady. Other Fannings and similar DUSTs gained. BMFs were well competed for.

Yemen, other Middle Eastern countries, Kazakhstan, other CIS states, UK and Bazaar showed more interest with more activity from Egyptian Packers but at lower levels. Pakistan Packers were less active and selective and there was less enquiry from Afghanistan but Sudan maintained activity. There was some interest from Russia and Iran. Somalia was more active at the lower end of the market.

Source -Africa Tea Brokers Limited