Tea Market Report – Week 11

Kenya – Good General Demand, Slightly Easier TrendKenya saw good overall demand at the Mombasa auction, offering 201k packages, with a 24% outlot rate. The average price increased marginally to USD 2.16/kg.

• BP1s: Flavoury East of Rift (EoR) types sold firm to dearer. Medium and plainer BP1s showed varied performance, mostly steady to easier.

• PF1s: EoR types were firm; WoR better quality PF1s gained, while others trended easier.

• Dust grades: Best PD and D1 were irregularly easier. Medium and plainer grades saw good demand, trading steady to easier.Key buyers: Pakistan, Sudan, Egypt, Yemen remained active but reduced. CIS and Kazakh demand continued; UK and Russia were selective.Weather: Mostly dry with occasional showers; crop intake declined.Outlook: Supply remains steady (~200k pkgs), but demand may soften with Ramadan. Volumes expected to fall during the dry season.

Malawi – Good Demand, Cyclone Jude Brings RainThe Limbe auction offered 4,300 packages and saw firm demand across most grades.

• BP1s: Firm, 3–6 USC dearer.

• PF1 seedlings: Firm to 2 USC dearer.

• D1s: Continued good demand, 1 USC up.

• Offgrades: Poorer leaf grades in demand; cleaner types neglected.Weather: Rains midweek followed by Cyclone Jude bringing strong winds and more rain.Outlook: Steady to dearer.

Other African Markets

• Uganda: Improved demand at steady to lower prices.

• Tanzania: Good demand, rates steady to easier.

• Rwanda: Selective buying at steady to easier levels.

• Burundi: Better supply, but demand near nil due to poor quality and uncompetitive pricing.

Sri Lanka – Buoyant Auction with Mixed TrendsColombo auctioned 4.99 million kgs of tea.

• Ex-Estate: Best BOPs rose by 50 USC; BOPFs gained 6–8 USC.

• Nuwara Eliya: BOP/BOPF gained 10–15 USC.

• CTC: Low grown PF1s were firm, BP1s steady. High/Medium PF1s dropped by 10 USC during the sale.

• Medium Grown: OP1s and BOP1s steady to lower. Better FBOPs and FF1s gained 10–20 USC.

• Low Grown Leafy: OP1s gained 10–15 USC. Some Bolder BOP1s dropped 20 USC. PEKs and PEK1s were firm to dearer.

• Dusts: High Grown Dusts rose 15–20 USC. Secondary dusts eased. Low Grown Dusts strengthened.Outlook: Market buoyant despite lower leaf volumes; demand from CIS, Middle East, and domestic packers active.

India – Fair Demand, Welcome Rain in Nilgiris

• South India: Orthodox leaf in good demand, particularly brokens and fannings. CTC dust prices corrected.

• North India: No sales.Weather: Rainfall resumed in Nilgiris, boosting farmer sentiment.Outlook: Fair demand likely to continue.

Indonesia – Steady to Firm for OrthodoxJakarta auctioned 6,920 packages, with 30% unsold.

• Orthodox: Java and Sumatra varieties sold at steady to firm prices.

• CTC: Mostly steady to easier; some lots withdrawn.Weather: Daily rains persist in Java and Sumatra.