SRI LANKA MARKET REPORT : SALE 24^TH/25^TH FEBRUARY 2009

Western Teas

Select Best BOPs sold well following special inquiry. Other good BOPs too were firm to marginally dearer. Below Best sorts were irregular, whilst the plainer varieties were firm to marginally dearer. Select Best BOPFs declined Rs.10/-. Other good invoices were firm to marginally easier. Below Best sorts were irregular, whilst the plainer varieties advanced Rs.5/- to Rs.10/-. Select Best Medium BOPs declined Rs.10/-, others were firm to marginally dearer. Medium BOPFs advanced Rs.10/- on average.

Nuwara Eliya Teas

Bright BOPs advanced Rs.10/- to Rs.15/-. Others gained, but to a lesser extent. BOPFs appreciated Rs.10/- on average.

Uva Teas

Coloury BOPs declined Rs.10/-, Below Best and plainer sorts gained Rs.10/- to Rs.15/-. Coloury BOPFs advanced Rs.10/-, Below Best and plainer varieties gained Rs.15/- to Rs.20/- on average.

CTC Teas

Low Grown PF1s declined Rs.15/- to Rs.20/-. BP1s advanced Rs.10/- to Rs.15/- and more. Coloury High and Medium PF1s were firm to marginally dearer, whilst the others declined Rs.5/- to Rs.10/-. BP1s were firm to marginally dearer.

Low Growns

Excellent demand. Select Best OP1s maintained last levels, the Best and Below Best varieties appreciated Rs.10/- to Rs.15/-, the poor types too gained by a similar margin. Select Best BOP1s were firm on last levels however, the Best and Below Best varieties advanced Rs.10/- to Rs.15/- and more at times, poor sorts too gained Rs.15/- to Rs.20/-. Select Best OPs were steady, the Best and Below Best varieties were dearer by Rs.10/- to Rs.15/-, poor sorts were firm on last levels. Select Best OPAs were mainly firm, the balance gained Rs.10/- to Rs.15/-. Bold Pekoe varieties advanced in prices and appreciated Rs.20/- to Rs.30/-. Shotty Pekoe1s appreciated Rs.10/- on average, the balance too were dearer by Rs.15/- to Rs.20/- and more at times. The small quantity on offer met with excellent demand. Select Best and Best BOP/BOP.SP maintained last levels, Below Best and poorer types gained Rs.5/- to Rs.10/-. Select Best and Best FBOP/FBOPF1s met with enhanced demand and advanced Rs.30/- to Rs.40/- at the commencement but advanced more as the sale progressed, Below Best and poorer types gained Rs.20/- and at times more. The limited availability of Select Best and Best Tippy varieties advanced substantially above last levels, Below Best and poorer types gained Rs.20/- and more at times.

Off Grades

Select Best liquoring Fngs1 were firm, whilst the Best and the Below Best shed Rs.3/- to Rs.5/- and more at times,poorer sorts were firm to dearer by Rs.3/- to Rs.5/- on average. BPs were irregularly lower by Rs. 5/- to Rs.8/- and more at times. Select Best BMs appreciated by Rs.40/- to Rs.50/-, whilst the Best and the Below Best too gained Rs.30/- to Rs.40/- and more at times. Clean Low Grown Fngs met with good demand appreciating Rs. 10/- to Rs.15/- following quality, whilst others too met with good demand. Select Best and Best BOP1As appreciated Rs.20/- to Rs.30/-,whilst Below Best and poorer sorts were dearer by Rs.30/-.

Dust

Select Best Dust1s gained Rs.5/- to Rs.10/-, whilst the Best and the Below Best types too appreciated Rs.3/- to Rs.5/-,poorer sorts were irregularly lower. Clean secondaries shed Rs.4/- to Rs.8/- whist the Below Best types were firm, poorer sorts were firm to Rs.2/- dearer. Best Low Grown Dust/Dust1s shed Rs.5/- to Rs.10/-, whilst the balance gained Rs.4/- to Rs.6/-.