Fairly good demand for the 148,491 packages (9,738,454kilos) on offer at easier rates in the first auction of the year and more teas, 19.73% remained unsold.

Best BP1s in the market shed upto USC18 while brighter categories were about firm to USC14 below last week's levels with mediums USC6 to USC34 easier. Lower medium BP1s saw better interest gaining USC8 to USC16 but some lines were discounted at about similar levels while plainer sorts held about firm to USC20 dearer.

The best PF1s available eased by upto USC20 with brighter types a weak feature and were discounted by upto USC36 and more as the sale progressed. Mediums met less enquiry opening between USC20 to USC40 easier and were much lower by the close while lower mediums were irregular varying between firm rates to easier by USC4 to USC26 with plainer categories about firm to USC3 easier.

Best PDUSTs on offer appreciated by upto USC10 with brighter types ranging between firm levels to easier by USC8 to USC12 while mediums varied between USC8 dearer to easier by USC6 to USC18 and more as the sale progressed. Lower medium PDUSTs ranged between firm to USC8 dearer to easier by upto USC5 with plainer sorts steady to USC14 below last prices.

The best DUST1s available shed upto USC18 while brighter category held firm to USC10 below last rates with mediums varying between firm to USC4 dearer to easier by upto USC12. Lower mediums were firm to USC6 dearer with plainer descriptions firm to USC4 above last week's rates.

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

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

Courtesy - Africa Tea Brokers Limited