Global Tea Market Highlights – Week 34

🇰🇪 Kenya – Good General Demand

Kenya’s auction saw 151,641 packages, similar to the prior week, with 33% remaining unsold. KTDA EoR PF1s attracted the most attention, especially from Pakistan and Afghanistan, pushing prices firm to dearer. However, reprints and Sudan’s absence continue to pressure the market.

• All-auction average: +3 USC to $2.08/kg

• BP1s: Improved demand for KTDA EoR; firm to dearer

• PF1s: Strong from Pakistan/Afghanistan; firm to dearer

• Dust: Good demand, irregularly firm

• Outlook: Market bottoming out; Pakistan Bazaar expected to step in

• Weather: Light showers; crop intakes remain low

🇲🇼 Malawi – Good Demand at Irregular Rates

Demand was present but selective. BP1s held firm while some overheated PF1 seedlings eased by up to 12 USC.

• PDs & D1s: Up to 5 USC dearer

• Offgrades: Mixed performance; dusty types neglected

• Weather: Dry with cooler nights

• Outlook: Firm to dearer

🌍 Other African Markets

• 🇺🇬 Uganda: Improved demand at irregularly firm rates, though leaf quality is mixed.

• 🇹🇿 Tanzania: Limited offerings; steady demand but fluctuating prices.

• 🇷🇼 Rwanda: Strong demand, seasonal peak in quality; dry season limiting supply.

• 🇧🇮 Burundi: Availability improved but demand low due to quality concerns.

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka – Steady Demand

With 5.5 million kgs offered, high grown BOPs surged +20-30 USC, while Uva teas gained +15 USC. Low grown leafy and premium types remained mostly firm, though some lower types eased slightly.

• Dusts: High grown and secondary dusts up +10–15 USC

• Offgrades: Mixed performance; many grades stronger

• Premiums: Best types dearer, others firm

• Outlook: Stronger buying interest seen across grades

🇮🇳 India – Fair to Good Demand

• North India: Orthodox and CTC saw good demand for plainer types; better varieties facing pressure.

• South India: CTC Dusts in fair demand; orthodox dusts and leaf faced selective buying.

• Buyers: Strong presence from HUL, Tata, CIS, and exporters

• Outlook: Common grades stable; medium and better types softer

🇮🇩 Indonesia – Fair Demand

From 3,800 packages, 18% remained unsold. Orthodox types sold at steady to firm, while CTC weakened.

• Weather: Rains support crop

• Exports: Stable; Malaysia remains top buyer, followed by Germany and the US

• Outlook: Slight increase in offerings expected next week, before dropping again

📈 Global Market Trends

• Kenya’s production: Down 12% YoY (Jan–Jun: 283.2M kg vs 323.4M)

• India North: +14% YoY

• India South & Sri Lanka: Both showing production gains

• Weekly average auction prices:

  • Kenya: $2.08/kg

  • Sri Lanka: $3.84/kg

  • North India: $2.37/kg

  • South India: $1.93/kg

  • Malawi: $1.89/kg

  • Indonesia: $1.97/kg