Tea Market Report – Week 10 (7 March 2025)

Kenya – Good Demand, Prices SofterMombasa saw steady volumes at 199,000 packages, with 25% (50k pkgs) unsold, and the average price fell by 4 USC to USD 2.15/kg.

• BP1s: Flavoury KTDA East of Rift (EoR) held steady to easier; WoR and medium types also traded steady to easier.

• PF1s: KTDA EoR PF1s were mostly steady to easier, with some selected lots dearer. KTDA WoR PF1s met better demand from Pakistan and UK.

• Dusts: Best PD/D1 traded irregularly easier. Better medium and plainer types were steady to irregularly firm, following quality.Active buyers included Pakistan, UK, Yemen, and CIS; local and Afghan activity was selective.Weather: Dry and sunny across most regions. A drop in crop intake was reported.Outlook: Steady supply for the coming weeks (~200k pkgs), though lower than historical averages. Volumes may drop further as the dry season deepens. KTDA reprints are slowly being absorbed.

Malawi – Fair Demand with Quality SupportLimbe auction witnessed good demand for 4,300 packages.

• BP1s: Firm with some lots 2 USC higher.

• PF1 Seedlings: Steady to 3 USC easier.

• PDs and D1s: Steady with D1s up to 2 USC dearer.

• Offgrades: Poor leaf saw good demand; cleaner sorts were neglected.Weather: Useful rainfall and warm conditions; crop intake is high with good quality cups.Outlook: Steady.

Other African Markets

• Uganda: Improved demand at generally steady to lower levels. Poorer types discounted or neglected.

• Tanzania: Selective demand, trading steady to easier.

• Rwanda: BP1s showed recovery; PF1s declined due to weak Pakistan interest.

• Burundi: Supply increased, but demand remains almost nil due to poor quality and pricing gaps.

Sri Lanka – Bullish Market TrendColombo offered 5.32 Mn Kgs.

• Ex-Estate: BOPs up by 30 USC; BOPF up by 10–20 USC. Uva BOP/BOPFs gained 10–20 USC.

• CTC: Low Grown PF1s & BP1s gained 10–15 USC. High/Medium PF1s also strengthened.

• Medium Grown: OP1s, BOP1s, and FBOPs gained 10–15 USC; FF1s up by 20 USC.

• Low Grown Leafy & Premiums: OP1s Select Best gained 30–90 USC. PEK1 and PEKs up 10–20 USC.

• Off Grades & Dusts: Generally firmer across the board. Low Grown Dusts gained 4–8 USC.Weather: Conditions were generally stable, supporting production.

India – Moderate Demand Amid Weather Impacts

• South India: Orthodox leaf demand was strong, especially for brokens and fannings. CTC dusts stable but saw some price corrections.

• North India: No sales.Weather: Rising temperatures are affecting both production and quality.Annual Production Outlook: Down by 12–15% in 2024.

Indonesia – Sluggish Activity Due to FloodsJakarta offered 6,140 packages, with 38% unsold.

• Orthodox and CTC teas sold steady to easier, with brokers rejecting many bids.

• Flooding in Jakarta and West Java disrupted logistics and paralyzed trade activity.

Vietnam – Spring Season DelayNorthern Vietnam's chilly weather is delaying leaf growth, affecting spring harvest availability.

• Prices remain firm across grades with limited availability.

• Weather: Improved conditions with sunshine and moderate temperatures support near-future growth.