Sri Lanka, June 16 -- Sri Lanka's tea auction offerings increased further this week, reaching 6.4 million kilogrammes, with Low and Mid Grown leafy and semi-leafy teas continuing to attract healthy demand and satisfactory prices despite emerging market challenges.

Market analysts said High and Mid Grown Orthodox Rotovane BOP and BOPF grades came under pressure as sentiment turned bearish towards the close of the auction. The decline followed a sharp appreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee, with the US dollar falling 2.4 percent to Rs. 329 during early trading after the Central Bank introduced new foreign exchange conversion requirements for exporters.

Ex-Estate offerings rose marginally to 1.0 million kilograms, although overall quality re...