COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – 10 September 2026 – The latest Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers’ weekly market report for Sale No. 35, covering the auctions held on 8th and 9th September 2026, reveals a market characterized by fair general demand for Sri Lankan tea, with overall offerings slightly decreasing from the previous week. The report also highlighted significant industry recognition at the recent Tea Exporters’ Association (TEA) Awards, celebrating excellence in tea production and tasting.
Overall Market Dynamics: Offerings Decline, Demand Remains Fair
A total of 5.10 million kilograms (M/Kgs) of tea were on offer at this week’s Colombo Tea Auction, a modest decline from the 5.3 M/Kgs offered in the preceding week. Despite the reduced volume, the market maintained a “fair general” demand. Ex-Estate offerings, comprising 0.76 M/Kgs, saw less demand, while High & Medium, Leafy, Semi-Leafy, Tippy/Small Leaf, Premium Flowery, and Dust categories all reported fair demand. Off-Grades, however, demonstrated good demand.
Regional Tea Performance: Mixed Sentiments Across Elevations
The report detailed a mixed performance across Sri Lanka’s key tea-growing regions:
- High Grown Teas: Best Western BOPs were irregular and easier, although a few select BOPF invoices gained Rs. 20-40 per kg. Below Best categories saw some declines. Nuwara Eliyas remained generally firm, while Uda Pussellawas continued to suffer from limited interest due to lower quality, with many remaining unsold. Uva BOPs and BOPFs showed an improvement, with select coloury teas gaining Rs. 20-50 per kg and more.
- Medium Grown Teas: Large Leaf teas continued to sell well, while other varieties were mostly around last week’s levels. Best OP/OPA varieties saw price declines, though PEK and PEK1 categories appreciated.
- Low Grown Teas: Totaling approximately 2.2 M/Kgs, all Low Grown categories witnessed fair demand. BOP1s were generally firm, OP1s were firm to dearer, and well-made OPs maintained prices. High-priced OPAs were firm but balances eased. PEKs and Select Best PEK1s appreciated following quality. Tippy teas, including FBOPs and FBOP1s, showed varied trends, with some firm and others easier. Premium Flowery Tippy teas were generally dearer.
- CTC Teas: High & Mid Grown BP1s were limited and met poor interest. Better PF1s were firm and up to Rs. 50 per kg dearer. Low Grown CTC varieties sold firm, with select invoices appreciating by up to Rs. 20 per kg.
Notable Top Prices
The auction saw several estates achieve impressive prices. In High Grown Western, Ancoombra BOP reached Rs. 2150, while Torrington FBOPF1 achieved Rs. 1600. Nuwara Eliya’s Court Lodge BOP topped at Rs. 1200. In Low Growns, Nawagamuwehena BOP fetched Rs. 2700, and Pothotuwa PEK1 achieved an “All Time Record Price” of Rs. 3050, a significant highlight of the sale. Adams View FBOPFSp recorded Rs. 4550, and Yalta FBOPFExSp reached Rs. 4800.
Crop and Weather: Decreased Intake Across Regions
For the period of 1st to 7th September 2026, all regions reported a decrease in crop intake. Western and Nuwara Eliya experienced sunny weather, with occasional showers expected. Uva and Uda Pussellawa enjoyed bright weather, with Uva expecting showers. The Low Grown region reported bright weather and intermittent showers, with more showers anticipated in the week ahead.
Industry Recognition: TEA Awards Celebrate Excellence
The Tea Exporters’ Association (TEA) held its Annual General Meeting on 4th September 2026 at the Grand Marquee, Taj Samudra, to recognize outstanding tea producers and tasters. The awards evaluated factories based on consistent premium main grades, high auction prices, regional brew representation, compliance, reliability, and low quality claims for the period of January-June 2026.
A historic milestone was achieved at the 4th Excellence in Tea Tasting competition, where Ms. Nuwani Kaushalya Rajapaksha of Anverally & Sons (Pvt) Ltd secured first place, becoming the first female contestant to win the prestigious title. Mr. S. M. S. D. Seneviratne Dissanayake of Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC was the First Runner Up.
Outstanding Tea Producers were awarded across various regions:
- Nuwara Eliya: Winner – Pedro Tea Factory (Lovers Leap and Magastotte)
- Dimbula: Winner – Somerset Tea Factory, Runner Up – Norwood Tea Factory, Special Award – Dessford Tea Factory
- Kandy: Winner – Craighead Tea Factory, Runner Up – Dartry Valley Tea Factory, Special Award – Hatale Tea Factory
- Uva: Winner – Sarnia Tea Factory, Runner Up – Dickwella Tea Factory
- Sabaragamuwa: Winner – Avissawella Tea Factory (4th occasion)
- Ruhuna: Winner – Pothotuwa Tea Factory (7th consecutive occasion), Runner Up – Susantha Tea Factory, Special Award – Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory
- CTC Tea Category – Low Growns: Winner – Hingalgoda Tea Factory, Joint Runners Up – Ceciliyan Tea Factory & Kalubowitiyana Tea Factory
No winners were selected from the Uda Pussellawa Region.
Global Tea Markets: Mixed Trends
International tea markets showcased varied performance:
- Mombasa Auction (07th-08th September 2026): Good general demand, with Pakistan Packers, Yemen, and other Middle Eastern countries showing increased activity. Prices for BP1 and PF1 grades showed irregular movements, varying between gains and ease.
- Bangladesh Auction (07th September 2026): Good demand at easier rates for CTC Leaf. Dusts met good demand, with well-made liquoring sorts barely steady, and others easing.
- Coonoor Auction (05th September 2026): Good improved demand, especially for liquoring sorts in CTC Leaf. Orthodox Leaf saw good demand for popular marks, with high-grown teas ruling a firm to dearer market.
- Kolkata Auction (08th September 2026): Good demand, with Liquoring Assams tending easier. Orthodox whole leaf and brokens sold irregularly lower.
- Cochin Auction (09th September 2026): Export demand remained supportive. Orthodox market was firm to dearer, while the CTC market ruled firm with good teas attracting fair competition.
- Malawi Auction (09th September 2026): Less demand for the limited quantity on offer.
- Guwahati Auction (08th September 2026): Fair demand at steady to easier rates for medium and better medium CTC teas.
Upcoming Sales Outlook
The upcoming Sale No. 36 is scheduled for 15th/16th September 2026, with 5,236,036 Kgs on offer. Sale No. 37 is slated for 22nd/23rd September 2026, with an estimated 4,826,774 Kgs. Catalogue closures for subsequent sales have also been announced, indicating a steady auction schedule for the coming weeks.
The Sri Lankan tea industry continues to navigate a dynamic global market, with local auctions reflecting varied demand across categories and regions, while also celebrating achievements in quality and expertise.
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