Colombo, Sri Lanka – 09 September 2026 – The Sri Lankan tea market concluded its weekly sales for 08th and 09th September 2026 with a total offering of 5.10 million kilograms (M/Kgs), reflecting a slight decline from the previous week’s 5.3 M/Kgs. The latest market report from Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers Pvt Ltd indicates a “Fair general” demand across most categories, though with nuanced movements in pricing and quality.
Overall Market Snapshot: Demand and Offerings
The auction, Sale No. 35, saw 10,837 lots totaling 5,105,975 kilograms on offer. While the overall demand was deemed “Fair general,” specific categories showed varied interest:
- Ex-Estate (0.76 M/Kgs): Less demand.
- High & Medium (0.56 M/Kgs): Fair demand.
- Leafy (0.68 M/Kgs): Fair demand.
- Semi Leafy (0.66 M/Kgs): Fair demand.
- Tippy/Small Leaf (0.83 M/Kgs): Fair demand.
- Premium Flowery (0.04 M/Kgs): Fair demand.
- Off Grade (1.12 M/Kgs): Good demand.
- Dust (0.45 M/Kgs): Fair demand.
The decline in overall auction offerings to 5.1 M/Kgs was noted, with large leaf teas in Low Grown and High & Mid Grown catalogues maintaining strong sales. However, Orthodox/Rotovane BOP/BOPF teas experienced sluggishness and numerous withdrawals.
Regional Quality and Price Performance
Quality observations varied across Sri Lanka’s diverse tea-growing regions:
- Ex-Estate Offerings (0.7 M/Kgs): Quality remained unchanged with limited availability of superior teas.
- Westerns: A few select Westerns and Nuwara Eliyas were barely maintained, while others disappointed. Best Western BOPs were irregular and easier, with below-best declining by Rs. 20-40 per kg. BOPFs for select ranges gained Rs. 20-40 per kg, while others were firm to easier.
- Uda Pussellawa: Continued to be of poor make, witnessing very limited interest.
- Uva: Showed an improvement in quality. Uva BOPs saw select coloury teas firm and Rs. 20-40 per kg dearer, with corresponding BOPFs gaining up to Rs. 50 per kg or more for coloury sorts.
- High & Mid Grown CTC Teas: BP1s had limited availability and poor interest. PF1s saw better all-round teas firm and up to Rs. 50 per kg dearer.
- Low Growns (approximately 2.2 M/Kgs): Low Growns were similar to last week, with all categories experiencing fair demand. BOP1s were generally firm. OP1s were firm to dearer, while well-made OPs maintained. PEKs and Select Best PEK1s appreciated, and Tippy teas, particularly Premium catalogue items, were generally dearer.
Settlement Dates and Auction Schedule
The settlement dates for Sale No. 35 are scheduled as follows:
- 10% Payment: 11 September 2026
- Buyers Prompt: 15 September 2026
- Sellers Prompt: 16 September 2026
Looking ahead, Sale No. 36 is scheduled for 15th/16th September 2026, with Sale No. 37 following on 22nd/23rd September 2026.
Crop and Weather Report (01 – 07 September 2026)
All regions reported a decrease in crop intake for the period. Weather conditions were largely sunny across Western, Nuwara Eliya, Uva, and Uda Pussellawa regions. Bright weather with intermittent showers was reported in the Low Grown region. Occasional showers are expected in Western and Nuwara Eliya, with showers anticipated in Uva and Low Grown regions in the week ahead, according to the Department of Meteorology.
T.E.A. Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Sri Lankan Tea
A significant highlight was the Tea Exporters’ Association (T.E.A.) Annual General Meeting on 4th September 2026 at Taj Samudra, where outstanding tea producers and tasters were recognized. Evaluated by an experienced panel led by Mr. Avindra de Silva, former MD of Unilever Lipton, the awards acknowledged consistency in premium main grades, high prices at Colombo Auctions, regional brew characteristics, and compliance with grade nomenclature.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Excellence in Tea Tasting competition identified outstanding tasters under 40. This year marked a historic milestone, with Ms. Nuwani Kaushalya Rajapaksha of Anverally & Sons (Pvt) Ltd securing first place, becoming the first female contestant to do so. Mr. S. M. S. D. Seneviratne Dissanayake of Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC was the first runner-up.
Awardees for Outstanding Tea Producers included:
- Nuwara Eliya: Pedro Tea Factory (Lovers Leap and Magastotte)
- Dimbula: Somerset Tea Factory (Winner), Norwood Tea Factory (Runner Up), Dessford Tea Factory (Special Award)
- Kandy: Craighead Tea Factory (Winner), Dartry Valley Tea Factory (Runner Up), Hatale Tea Factory (Special Award)
- Uva: Sarnia Tea Factory (Winner), Dickwella Tea Factory (Runner Up)
- Sabaragamuwa: Avissawella Tea Factory (4th occasion)
- Ruhuna: Pothotuwa Tea Factory (Winner, 7th consecutive occasion), Susantha Tea Factory (Runner Up), Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory (Special Award)
- CTC Tea Category – Low Growns: Hingalgoda Tea Factory (Winner), Ceciliyan Tea Factory & Kalubowitiyana Tea Factory (Joint Runners Up)
Notably, no winners were selected from the Uda Pussellawa Region in the producer awards.
Global Tea Market Trends
International tea auctions reported mixed sentiments:
- Mombasa (07-08 Sep 2026): Good general demand, with Pakistan, Yemen, and Middle Eastern countries active. Prices for BP1 and PF1 grades showed fluctuations.
- Bangladesh (07 Sep 2026): Good demand but at easier rates, particularly for broken and fanning varieties. Blenders were active, but loose tea buyers showed less support.
- Coonoor (05 Sep 2026): Improved demand, especially for liquorings sorts in CTC leaf, with best teas appreciating. Orthodox leaf met good demand for well-made popular marks.
- Kolkata (08 Sep 2026): Good demand, but liquoring Assams tended easier, and Orthodox whole leaf and brokens sold irregularly lower.
- Cochin (09 Sep 2026): Export demand remained supportive. Orthodox market was firm to dearer, while CTC market ruled firm, with quality teas attracting fair competition.
- Malawi (09 Sep 2026): Less demand for limited offerings.
- Guwahati (08 Sep 2026): Fair demand at steady to easier rates for medium and better medium teas.
The Sri Lankan tea market continues to navigate fluctuating demand and quality, underscoring the dynamic nature of the global tea trade. Industry stakeholders remain vigilant, adapting to market conditions while striving for excellence in production.
Source: Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers (Pvt) Ltd – Sale of 8 & 9 September 2026 — Tea Market Report
