Global Tea Market Overview – Week 30

🇰🇪 Kenya – Fair Demand Amid Declining Supply

The Mombasa auction saw slightly reduced offerings at 206,980 packages, with 43% remaining unsold due to reprint pressure and KTDA reserve pricing.

• BP1s: Flavory types held steady; medium types improved; poorer types neglected

• PF1s: Mostly sold at minimum prices; mixed demand and pricing across grades

• Dust Grades: Firm to irregular performance depending on quality

• Key Buyers: Pakistan dominated; Egypt, Yemen, UK active; Sudan still absent

• Weather: Moderate rainfall, some hailstorms; crop intake dropped slightly

• Outlook: Seasonal drop in availability may stabilise the market

🇲🇼 Malawi – Good Demand at Firm to Dearer Levels

• BP1s & PF1s: Limited but strong interest; one PF1 lot fetched 9 USC more

• D1s & Offgrades: Firm to up 5 USC dearer

• Weather: Cool nights, scattered showers in Thyolo and Mulanje

• Outlook: Firm to dearer trend likely to continue

🌍 Other African Markets

• 🇺🇬 Uganda: Good demand at lower price points

• 🇧🇮 Burundi: Weak demand due to poor quality

• 🇷🇼 Rwanda: Stronger demand; BP1s and PF1s selling dearer

• 🇹🇿 Tanzania: Limited availability; steady to irregularly steady sales

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka – Improved Demand Across All Grades

• High Grown Teas: BOPs eased 10–20 USC; BOPF up 5–10 USC

• Uva Region: BOPs gained 15 USC

• Low Growns: PEKs and BOP1s firm to dearer; leafy grades showed strength

• Dusts: High Grown up 12–18 USC; Secondary Dusts gained 8–12 USC

• Premium Teas: Strong interest in long tips and FFs

🇮🇳 India – Mixed but Fair Demand

• North India: Orthodox leaf saw strong demand; CTC and Dusts had mixed trends

• South India: Good liquoring teas were firm to dearer; fannings and brokens varied

• Exports: Rose 2.85% YoY to 257.88 million kg

🇮🇩 Indonesia – Fair Demand with Climate Concerns

• 6,300 packages on offer; 41% unsold

• Orthodox and CTC teas mostly steady to easier

• West Sumatra Dust & BOPF firm to dearer

• Lingering rainfall delaying dry season; production decline expected

📈 Market Insights & Trends

• Global Average Auction Price: Dropped to $1.95/kg, down 5 USC

• Production (Apr 2025 vs Apr 2024):

  • Kenya: ↓ 4%

  • Sri Lanka: ↑ 23%

  • North India: ↑ 18%

  • South India: ↑ 77%

• Cumulative (Jan–Jun 2025 vs 2024):

  • Kenya: ↓ 15%

  • Sri Lanka: ↑ 10%

  • Malawi: ↓ 6%