Tea Market Report – Week 13

Kenya – Steady Demand, Slightly Softer Prices

The Mombasa auction saw 189,000 packages on offer (down from 192k), with 31% unsold and an average price drop of 3 US cents to USD 2.11/kg.

• BP1s: Flavoury KTDA EoR met improved but irregular demand; absence of Sudan buyers continues to weigh on performance. WoR BP1s sold firm.

• PF1s: EoR types saw declining prices as volumes increased and Afghan/Bazar interest remained absent. WoR PF1s traded higher selectively.

• Dust Grades: PDs mostly easier; D1s firm. Medium and plainer dust grades showed mixed trends with improved demand.Buyers: Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen, and UK remained active, albeit at reduced levels. CIS markets showed selective activity. Sudan remained absent.Crop & Weather: Long rains (MAM) appear to have set in. Crop intake remains at seasonal levels. Temperatures dipped slightly.Outlook: Steady availability (~190k pkgs weekly). Demand selective due to Ramadan. KTDA reprints continue to weigh on sentiment.

Malawi – Demand Softens as Season Winds Down

Limbe auction offered 5,040 packages, with overall reduced demand.

• BP1s: Eased by 2–4 USC.

• PF1s & Seedlings: Steady to selective demand.

• PDs: Neglected.

• D1s: Maintained good demand.

• Offgrades: Good quality fannings sold at steady to slightly dearer levels; dust grades steady or neglected.Weather: Early week rains gave way to hot and dry conditions. The rainy season is nearing its end.Crop & Quality: Cup quality improved across grades. Crop intake steady.Outlook: Steady.

Sri Lanka – Mixed Trends with Improved Activity

Colombo offered 5.04M kgs, with a steady market but selective buyer demand.

• Ex-Estate:

  • BOPs dropped by 30–60 USC.

  • BOPFs eased by 15–30 USC.

  • Uva BOP/BOPF rose 3–10 USC.

  • Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPF remained unsold.

• CTC:

  • Low Grown PF1s were firm.

  • High/Medium PF1s mostly lower.

• Medium Grown:

  • OP1s and BOP1s dearer.

  • FBOPs & FF1s steady to easier.

  • OP/OPAs mixed.

• Low Grown Leafy & Premium:

  • OP1s down 20–40 USC.

  • PEK/PEK1s and BOP1As gained.

• Dusts:

  • High Grown firm.

  • Secondary grades dearer.

  • Low Grown Dusts softer.Outlook: Selective but stable. Ramadan and regional holidays influencing buying behavior.

India – Fair Demand Amid New Season Start

• South India:

  • CTC Dust: Mixed trends, packers and exporters active.

  • Leaf Orthodox: High Grown FOPs dearer; others mixed.

• North India:

  • Good demand. Old teas sold as per quality. New Dooars teas slowly entering the market.Outlook: Steady with gradual ramp-up in volumes.

Indonesia – Quiet Market Ahead of Eid Holidays

Jakarta offered 4,940 packages, with 21% unsold.

• Java/Sumatra Orthodox & CTC sold steady to firm.

• East Java CTC fannings and West Java OT BOPFs performed well.Note: No auction next week due to Eid al-Fitr holidays. Business resumes on April 8.

Other African Markets

• Uganda: Demand improved; prices steady to lower.

• Tanzania: Improved demand at steady to easier rates.

• Rwanda: Selective demand at irregularly steady to easier levels.

• Burundi: Increased availability but no demand due to poor quality and uncompetitive pricing.

Special Focus – Argentina

Drier-than-normal conditions continue in Misiones under the La Niña weather pattern.

• Production expected to drop 20–30% YoY.

• Despite lower supply, U.S. demand softened due to high inventories and cautious outlook, keeping market stable.

• Most producers have fulfilled contracts early and are slowing operations.Season: Will end by late April, with focus shifting to sorting and export.