Sri Lankan tea prices gain

Sri Lanka's tea prices were strong at the latest auction on Tuesday, as high-grown teas bounced back from lacklustre demand over the holiday period.
The anticipated gross sales average was 160 rupees per kg, compared to 158.41 rupees per kg at the previous auction, Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said in a statement.
Broken Orange Pekoes from the high-altitude Nuwara Eliya region gained up to 20 rupees, while those from the Western planting region picked up three to eight rupees.
Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings from both regions were also up to 20 rupees higher.
Among low-grown teas, leafy types sold well, although Orange Pekoes slipped by about five rupees.
Tippy teas were mixed, with better quality teas gaining about three to four rupees, but those at the bottom end of the market declining.
There were 6.9 million kg of tea on offer this week, and brokers said 6.3 billion kg would come under the hammer at next week's sale.