Sri Lanka's tea market saw a mixed sale on Wednesday, with low-grown teas selling well but plainer teas from the high-grown regions meeting less demand.
The anticipated gross sales average was 167.50 rupees ($1.72) per kg, compared to 168.51 rupees per kg last week, Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said in a statement.
Brokers said the market was approaching a difficult period, with the island facing a potentially destabilising general election on April 2 followed by local New Year holidays in the middle of the month.
"People who can afford to may try to stock up before then, but there might be some concerns from the shippers if we're under curfew after the election," said Dilan Polonowita, a broker at Forbes and Walker.
He said some buyers were also less active in late March, ahead of the end of the financial year.
Barring a few top quality teas, Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings from the high-grown regions - considered the island's best - met with less demand, with those from the Western region falling 10 to 15 rupees and those from Uva losing eight to 10 rupees.
Among teas from the low-grown regions, favoured by Middle Eastern and Russian buyers, tippy types held firm while flowery teas saw a strong sale.
"Select best Flowery Broken Orange Pekoes maintained last level. Below best types commenced low but saw better demand as the sale progressed and prices improved by five to 10 rupees," John Keells Ltd said in a statement.
There were 5.9 kg of tea on offer, and brokers said 5.3 kg would come under the hammer at next week's sale.
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