Global Tea Market Report – Week 33

🇰🇪 Kenya – Firmer to Dearer with Reduced Offerings

• Auction volumes decreased to 151,000 packages (↓13,000 from last week).

• Market average rose by 6 US cents, closing at $2.05/kg.

• BP1s: Flavory East of Rift (EoR) teas held value. Below Best and Medium grades sold firm.

• PF1s: Strong export demand from Pakistan and Afghanistan drove firmer prices, especially for black leaf types.

• Dust Grades: Steady to dearer for both PD/D1 grades; Egypt types showed increased demand.

• Buyers: Pakistan and Afghanistan remained dominant. Yemen, Egypt, UK, and Russia also active.

• Weather: Cooler temperatures and light rains; crop intake reduced on both sides of the Rift.

• Outlook: Market bottoming out. Sudan’s absence continues to affect demand.

🇲🇼 Malawi – Continued Good Demand

• D1s and Offgrades remained in strong demand, while PDs were selective.

• Weather: Sunny days, cold nights.

• Outlook: Firm to dearer.

• Note: Eastern Produce is closing its historic Chisambo factory due to upgrades at Limbuli and Ruo.

🌍 Other African Origins

• Uganda: Steady demand at irregularly firm levels. Leaf quality mixed.

• Tanzania: Steady demand but prices varied.

• Rwanda: Fair demand except for BP1s; seasonal quality peak.

• Burundi: Better availability, but poor quality led to negligible demand.

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka – Strong Demand and Rising Prices

• Auction volume: 5.775 million kg.

• High Grown Rotovane and Orthodox teas saw bullish demand.

• Ex-Estate:

  • BOPs +10–15 USC

  • BOPF Select Best +5 USC

  • Uva seasonal teas +30 USC

• Leafy/Low Grown: Mixed, with better grades firm or dearer, while some OPs eased.

• Dust Grades: Stronger overall.

• Outlook: Positive sentiment continues.

🇮🇳 India – Fair Demand across North & South

• North India:

  • Orthodox: Good demand; quality-sensitive pricing.

  • CTC: Select best Assam well competed; others easing.

• South India:

  • CTC Dust: Firm to dearer.

  • Orthodox Dust: Weak, with selective interest.

  • Leaf: Orthodox steady; CTC irregular.

• Buyers: HUL, TCPL, CIS & Middle East exporters active.

🇮🇩 Indonesia – Steady to Firm with Limited Offerings

• Auction size: 4,420 packages, 22% unsold.

• North Sumatra Orthodox grades (BOP I/BOP/BOPF/PF) sold at firm to dearer levels.

• Weather: Recent heavy rains expected to boost crops.

📊 Market Insights & Trends

• Auction Prices (USD/kg) – Kenya ($2.05), Malawi, Sri Lanka, North & South India all showing steady to firmer trends.

• Production Update (Jan–Jun 2025 vs 2024):

  • Kenya: ↓15%

  • Sri Lanka: ↑6%

  • North India: ↑14%

  • South India: ↑17%

  • Malawi: ↓6%