Tea prices rose at this week's Colombo auction as volumes fell and quality improved.
"With crop intakes from most plantation regions easing, and quality also showing an improvement, we believe that we have seen the bottom of the market and expect auction prices to keep moving up gradually as seen at the recent sales," brokers John Keells said.
They reported crops as being "moderate" in all planting districts.
"After a run of depressed prices particularly in the month of May, the producers would welcome the ascending prices witnessed at the last two sales," the brokers said.
"The current demand seen at the Colombo auctions is a clear indication that global demand is sufficiently buoyant."
Low grown teas cultivated in the south mainly by small farmers met with "excellent demand" at this week's sale, they said.
"In spite of the large volumes that we have seen in the recent past, prices for the best on offer appreciated in value, whilst the below best varieties in the leafy ca