According to The Hindu BusinessLine, orthodox tea prices at Kochi auctions fell by ₹9 per kg in average price realisation during sale 31, as the intensifying West Asia crisis continued to drag on export demand. The report by V Sajeev Kumar, published on July 31, 2026, placed orthodox leaf prices at ₹172 per kg, with the market for whole leaf and brokens irregular and lower.
West Asia crisis pressures export demand
Traders said export demand has slowed considerably as rising freight costs and market uncertainty have prompted shippers to scale down operations amid congestion at various ports, according to The Hindu BusinessLine. Exporters have consequently reduced purchases as they are unable to commit shipments against orders already placed. On the supply side, the quality of the crop has improved significantly following good rainfall in the high ranges, resulting in higher quantities being offered at the auctions.
Sale 31 auction data
In sale 31, the quantity offered in orthodox leaf was 2,49,106 kg, with a sales percentage of 88. Prices were down by ₹9 at ₹172. The market for whole leaf and brokens was irregular and lower. In CTC dust, the offered quantity was 6,78,344 kg, and all blenders together absorbed 68 per cent of the total CTC quantity sold. Good liquoring teas were steady to firm and became dearer by ₹1–2 a kg.
| Metric | Orthodox leaf | CTC dust |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity offered | 2,49,106 kg | 6,78,344 kg |
| Sales / absorption | Sales percentage of 88 | Blenders absorbed 68 per cent of total CTC quantity sold |
| Price move | Down ₹9 at ₹172 per kg | Good liquoring teas dearer by ₹1–2 per kg |
| Market condition | Irregular, lower for whole leaf and brokens | Steady to firm for good liquoring teas |
CIS buyers lend support, West Asia subdued
The auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis said exporters to CIS countries lent fair support, while West Asia was subdued. Anil George Joseph, President of the Tea Trade Association of Cochin, described the market as generally ruling irregular around last levels for better teas, while medium and plainer varieties eased following quality.
"The market was generally ruling irregular around last levels for better teas, while medium and plainer varieties eased following quality." — Anil George Joseph, President, Tea Trade Association of Cochin
Joseph added that select best whole leaf and broken grades in orthodox sold around last levels and were occasionally dearer following quality.
Supply and demand picture for tea buyers
Traders also indicated the possibility of increased buying interest from North Indian buyers at South Indian auctions, as floods have affected several tea-growing regions in North India. CTC tea prices continue to remain firm across South India, supported by strong domestic demand. The combination of improved crop quality, larger auction offerings and weak West Asian offtake leaves orthodox leaf at ₹172 per kg in sale 31, while good liquoring CTC dust commands a ₹1–2 per kg premium. For commodity traders and procurement teams monitoring South Indian tea, the auction result separates two markets: orthodox grades exposed to export logistics and geopolitical risk, and CTC dust anchored by domestic demand.
Sale 31's reported volumes — 2,49,106 kg of orthodox leaf and 6,78,344 kg of CTC dust — highlight the scale of weekly auction activity at Kochi. The decline in orthodox leaf prices to ₹172 per kg, alongside firm CTC dust, gives tea buyers a clear price spread between the two segments in the current market, according to the auction report covered by The Hindu BusinessLine.
Sources:
