Tea Market Report – Week 9

Kenya – Good General Demand at Steady to Easier LevelsThe Mombasa auction saw steady volumes at 196,000 packages, with a reduced outlot rate of 24% (45k pkgs) and an average price increase of 7 USC to USD 2.19/kg.

• BP1s: Flavoury KTDA East of Rift (EoR) grades held steady to easier. KTDA West of Rift (WoR) and medium/plainer types traded irregularly easier.

• PF1s: EoR PF1s generally easier, though a few lots gained due to strong interest from Pakistan and UK. WoR PF1s saw steady demand. Mediums and plainer types sold irregularly steady to easier.

• Dusts: Best PD/D1 traded irregularly easier; better mediums saw improved demand. Plainer types sold steady but followed quality closely.Demand remained active from Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, and Sudan. Kazakh and Russian activity was more subdued.Weather: Mostly sunny and dry, with occasional showers. Temperatures fluctuated, and a slight decline in crop intake was recorded.Outlook: Auction volumes stable but lower than previous years. Demand may slow with the onset of Ramadan.

Malawi – Continued Good DemandThe Limbe market remained strong across most grades:

• BP1s up by 3 USC.

• PF1 Seedlings traded steady to 2 USC dearer.

• PDs and D1s were firm.

• Offgrades saw continued strong demand for poorer leaf types; cleaner sorts were neglected.Weather: Rainfall remained consistent. Crop intake increased, and quality was good.Outlook: Steady to dearer.

Other African Origins

• Uganda: Steady demand for brighter teas; prices mostly steady to easier.

• Tanzania: Selective and irregular demand.

• Rwanda: Brokens lost value; PF1s gained due to CIS and Pakistani demand.

• Burundi: Better availability but demand remained nil due to quality and pricing mismatch.

Sri Lanka – Improved Demand Amid Mixed TrendsColombo auction saw 5.58 Mn kg on offer.

• Ex-Estate: Best BOPs firm; others eased by 6–8 USC. BOPF dearer by 15–30 USC.

• Uva/Nuwara Eliya: BOPF gained by 10–30 USC; Uva BOP eased by 30 USC.

• CTC: Low Grown BP1s up 10–15 USC; PF1s stable. High/Medium Grown PF1s eased 10–15 USC.

• Medium Grown: OP1s and FBOPs gained 10–15 USC; others mostly firm.

• Low Grown Leafy: OP1s Select Best & Best eased 40–60 USC; bottoms gained 30 USC. PEK1s and BPs mostly firm to dearer.

• Premiums and Small Leaf: FFs and FF1s gained 10–12 USC; BOP/BOPF up 6–12 USC.

• Dusts: High Grown, Secondary, and Low Grown dusts were all firmer by 4–10 USC.

India – Strong Demand, North ClosedNorth Indian auctions were closed, but South India saw firm to easier CTC markets and firm to dearer Orthodox offerings. Orthodox demand remains driven by exports. India’s annual production dropped 7.8% in 2024.

Indonesia – Reduced Demand Ahead of RamadanJakarta auction saw 4,920 packages, with 36% unsold.

• Java/Sumatra Orthodox and CTC sold steady to firm, but most bids failed to meet broker expectations.Weather: Very wet throughout the country, sustaining good crop conditions.Note: Ramadan set to begin this weekend, affecting export demand. Ramadan Kareem to all observing!