A subdued response from overseas and upcountry buyers at the Kochi tea auctions pulled down the average price realisation by around ₹6 per kg and increased unsold quantities, particularly in orthodox leaf grades.

Around 40 per cent of the 1,28,928 kg of orthodox leaf tea offered in Sale 43 remained unsold.

Traders attributed the weak demand to Puja holidays in North India and escalating tensions in West Asia, which have prompted overseas buyers to adopt a cautious approach. Rumours of a possible fresh US strike on Iran have also made exporters wary of aggressive buying, they said.

Meanwhile, the onset of the north-east monsoon in the high ranges has improved crop quality, resulting in increased tea arrivals at the auction platform. This has also contributed to prices dropping, traders said.

Auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis said that overseas buyers were operating cautiously amid rising tensions in West Asia, which had led to container shortages and higher shipping costs. Prices of several tea grades declined by ₹5–10 per kg, with heavy withdrawals reported. Exporters to CIS countries, however, extended fair support.

Anil George Joseph of the Tea Trade Association of Cochin said buyer participation was restricted due to the Puja holidays in North India, while buyers in West Asia remained selective. Whole-leaf grades faced weak demand, resulting in substantial withdrawals.

CTC dust prices were lower by ₹2 at ₹154 compared to ₹156 in the previous week. The offered quantity was 5,90,994 kg with a sales percentage of 78. The market for good liquoring teas was lower by ₹2 to ₹3. Low medium teas were lower by ₹3 to ₹4 and noticed heavy withdrawal.

All blenders together absorbed 70 per cent of the total CTC quantity sold, while exporters continued to be active.

Published on October 23, 2026