August 21, 2003	Thursday	Jumadi-us-Sani 22, 1424

MOMBASA, Aug 20: There was good demand this week at the East Africa tea auction, but prices were mixed in most primary categories, Africa Tea Brokers (ATB) said in a market reported released here on Wednesday.

“There was strong demand from Egypt, with good enquiry from Yemen and other Middle Eastern countries, but Pakistan and Afghanistan were also fairly active,” ATB report said.

Leaf in the brighter PF1 category was lower by 16 US cents, especially for poorer sorts, and sold at between $2.00 and $2.12 per kilogramme, but brighter BP1s were sold at between $2.30 and $2.36 per kilo, the report said.

Brighter Pekoe Dusts ranged from nine cents lower to nine cents above previous rates, while mediums were discounted by up to 10 cents, with a kilo of brighter Pekoe Dusts selling at between $1.82 and $1.91.

Brighter Dusts grade one were sold at between $2.06 and $2.49 per kilo, reflecting a price variation of between eight cents lower and 12 cents higher than previous rates, the brokers said.—AFP