Colombo, Sri Lanka – 13 August 2026 – Sri Lanka’s tea market witnessed an uptick in activity and a generally firm-to-dearer trend for most offerings at the auction held on August 11th and 12th, 2026. The latest weekly market report from Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers Pvt Ltd, released yesterday, provides a comprehensive overview of the trading landscape and global tea news.
Auction Overview: Demand Strengthens Amidst Slightly Reduced Offerings
According to Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers, a total of 5.83 million kilograms (M/Kgs) of tea were on offer at Sale No. 31, a slight decrease from the previous week’s 6.0 M/Kgs. Despite the reduced volume, the overall market demonstrated improved demand, with various categories experiencing fair to good activity.
- Ex-Estate: Good demand was noted for 0.88 M/Kgs.
- High & Medium, Leafy, Semi-Leafy, Tippy/Small Leaf, Premium Flowery, Off Grade, and Dust: All these categories registered fair demand.
A total of 11,897 lots, amounting to 5,830,076 kilograms, were presented at this week’s sale. Re-prints added another 1,200 lots totaling 699,061 kilograms.
Regional and Grade-Specific Performance
The report details varied performances across different tea-growing regions and grades:
High Grown Teas
- Westerns: Better BOP/BOPF varieties showed improved demand, appreciating by Rs. 50-100 per kg respectively. Below Best and plainer categories also saw selective improvements, though some plainer BOPs remained difficult to sell, dropping Rs. 100-150 per kg.
- Nuwara Eliyas: Continued to be a weak feature, with many BOP/BOPF invoices remaining unsold.
- Uda Pussellawa: Better BOP/BOPF declined by Rs. 50 per kg and more, while poorer sorts held previous week’s levels.
- Uva: Seasonal BOPs sold well with fluctuating prices based on quality. Non-seasonal neat leaf BOPs gained Rs. 50-100 per kg.
- High & Mid-Grown CTC Teas: Better PF1s appreciated by Rs. 20-40 per kg, indicating an encouraging improvement in product quality.
Low Grown Teas
Low Growns collectively offered approximately 2.4 M/Kg, with all categories experiencing fair demand. In Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, Select Best and Best BOPs remained firm, while lower grades declined. OP’s were generally firm to dearer, though OPA’s broadly declined. Well-made PEK1’s and clean leaf teas were firm, while mixed types were easier. Tippy and Premium Flowery catalogues saw well-made varieties holding firm to dearer rates depending on quality.
Off Grades and Dusts
Off Grades such as FGS1/FGS showed firm to dearer trends for select best and best categories, with lower-end teas maintaining. CTC Off Grades generally maintained. In Dusts, Select Best Dust1s were easier, while Low Grown varieties were dearer. High & Medium Grown CTC Dusts were firm to dearer.
Global Tea Market Insights
The Forbes & Walker report also featured global tea market news, highlighting a significant development in India:
- India Launches Commercial Matcha Production: Assam has become the first Indian state to commercially produce Matcha tea. The debut lot fetched ₹3,000 at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, marking a major milestone. This move is expected to strengthen Assam’s position in global tea markets and boost income for tea estates and farmers, capitalizing on rising demand for premium teas globally.
- International Auctions: Reports from Mombasa, Bangladesh, Coonoor, Kolkata, Cochin, and Siliguri indicated mixed trends, with selective demand and varying price movements across different grades and regions.
Crop and Weather Update
For the period of August 4-10, 2026, rain was reported in Western, Nuwara Eliya, Uva, Uda Pussellawa, and Low Grown regions. The Western and Nuwara Eliya regions maintained their crop intake, while Uva, Uda Pussellawa, and Low Grown regions reported a decrease. Intermittent showers are expected in the week ahead.
Upcoming Auction
The next auction, Sale No. 32, is scheduled for Monday, August 17th, and Tuesday, August 18th, 2026.
Source: Read original document