Market Report – Week 17 (24 April 2025)

🇰🇪 Kenya – Firm General Demand, Prices Softer

This week’s Mombasa auction offered 201,000 packages, with 26% remaining unsold. The all-average hammer price eased by 6 USC, closing at USD 1.98/kg. Most teas traded at irregularly steady to easier levels.

• BP1s: East of Rift (EoR) types held value; West of Rift (WoR) better sorts sold firm to dearer. Mediums and plain grades showed mixed trends, impacted by Sudan’s continued absence.

• PF1s: EoR grades were well supported by Pakistan, UK, and Afghan buyers, trading firm to dearer. WoR saw selective demand.

• Dust Grades: PDs traded irregularly steady to easier; D1s were firm to dearer. Plainer grades saw selective interest as Egyptian demand waned.

Active Markets: Kazakhstan, Yemen, Pakistan, and Afghanistan remained strong buyers. CIS and Bazar showed interest, while Egypt slowed and both Sudans stayed out.

Weather & Outlook: Widespread rains and cooler nights are supporting crop growth. Auction volumes are expected around 190k packages weekly—lower than previous years but likely to rise with the long rains. Demand is gradually recovering.

🇲🇼 Malawi – Fairly Good Demand

The Limbe auction offered 5,240 packages. BP1s were 2 USC lower, PF1sc eased by up to 1 USC, while seedling PF1s held steady. PDs were neglected. Better D1s held value, but offgrade fannings and dusts traded mixed.

Weather: Mulanje received 263 mm of rain; Thyolo recorded 69 mm. Conditions are warm with good crop and leaf quality.

Crop: Intake is mixed—steady in some areas, declining in others. Debate continues over whether to prune now or benefit from current favorable growing conditions.

Outlook: Steady.

🌍 Other African Markets

• Rwanda: Strong demand; brokens dearer, others irregular.

• Burundi: More teas available; selective demand due to quality and pricing resistance.

• Uganda & Tanzania: All grades traded steady to easier amid selective demand.

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka – Strong Demand Despite Higher Availability

A total of 5.96 Mn Kgs were offered with prices mostly dearer across segments.

• Ex-Estate: BOPs down by USC 10–30, BOPFs up by USC 10. Nuwara Eliya BOPs fell by USC 50.

• CTC: Low Grown PF1s gained USC 15. BP1s were firm. Medium & High Grown PF1s held steady.

• Medium Grown: Mixed trends; OP1s declined, FBOPs and FF1s dearer.

• Low Grown Leafy: OP1s varied; OP/OPA, PEK1 firm to dearer.

• Small Leaf & Premium: FBOPs, FFs, and BOP/BOPFs gained USC 6–10.

• Off Grades & Dusts: Mixed performance. Low Grown Dusts firm to dearer by USC 4–8.

🇮🇳 India – Good Demand with Regional Variations

Orthodox teas saw expected corrections in North India due to lower demand from Russia. CTC also eased, with domestic buyers cautious. South India remained firm, particularly for CTC, with increased interest from new domestic packers.

🇮🇩 Indonesia – Fair Demand

Jakarta auction had 4,100 packages with 11% unsold. Orthodox Java/Sumatra grades sold steady to firm; select invoices traded at dearer levels. CTC traded steady to easier. Despite good crop conditions, auction volumes remain low.