PRICES at this week’s tea auction in Mombasa were boosted by soaring demand as a result of good leaf qualities, Africa Tea Brokers (ATB) said in a market report released on Tuesday. “There was good general demand with prices closely following quality in each category,” the ATB report said. Pekoe Dusts fetched high prices of an average $2,13 dollars per kilogram, an appreciation of up to 17 US cents from last week’s rates, the ATB added. Plainer Pekoe Fannings first grade, with good leaf and liquors, gained 8 cents, but poorer types declined by up to 10 cents to settle at $1,24 per kilo. However, in the secondary catalogues, apart from some lines of Dusts that were firm and even improved, some descriptions fell by small margins. According to the report, Pakistani Blenders continued to be active with more enquiries from several sectors of the market. Traditional buyers, the United Kingdom and Egypt, were said to be very active during trading on Monday. – AFP
Monday November 19, 2001