Kenyan tea prices were mixed at this week's auction with some easing on quality, despite good demand, brokers said on Wednesday. Mombassa-based Africa Tea Brokers (ATB) said 116,398 packages were offered for sale compared with 119,165 packages at last week's auction. Of the total, 8,800 packages were unsold compared with 10,045 at the last auction.
"Good demand continued for the 116,398 packages on offer at irregular rates ending easier towards the close," ATB said in a weekly report. Brokers said prices were quite strong at the auction but eased towards the end as buyers met their requirements.
Brighter Best Pekoe Ones (BP1s) fetched $1.97-$2.60 per kg compared with $1.97-$2.85 at the last auction. Brighter Pekoe Fanning (PF) Ones fetched $2.14-$2.57 per kg compared with $2.17-$2.69 at the last auction.
"Brighter PF1s saw less demand, declining by $0.05 following quality," the report said. ATB said Pakistan Packers, Somalia and other Middle Eastern Countries bought more tea then at last week's auction. Britain and Afghanistan bought less tea then at last week's auction while The Egyptian Government bought no tea, ATB said. Kenya is one of the world's top three producers of black tea together with India and Sri Lanka.