Sri Lanka tea prices rose at the latest auction on Wednesday, with strong demand across the board, especially for Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings from the Western planting region. The anticipated gross sales average was 172 rupees ($1.66) per kg, from 169.96 rupee per kg at last week's auction, Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said in a statement.
It said best Western BOPFs rose five to 10 rupees, while those in the below best category also gained up to eight rupees. Those from the high-altitude Nuwara Eliya region were largely lower by three to eight rupees.
John Keells Commodity Brokers said despite the large volumes on offer low-grown teas also sold well, with prices for some leafy teas rising as much as 15 rupees.
But it said most Pekoes could not maintain last week's high prices.
"Consequently, prices declined ranging from 10 to 15 rupees for the best on offer, the others being barely steady," Keells said in a statement.
It said there was strong demand from Iran and the Commonwealth of Independent States, but that Turkey was less active.
There were 6.2 million kgs of tea on offer this week, and brokers said 5.6 million kgs will go on sale at next week's auction.