Tea workers pluck tea leaves inside a plantation Kerala
Easing tensions in West Asia appear to have helped revive the orthodox tea market at the Kochi auctions, with overseas buyers showing strong demand.According to traders, the orthodox segment is on a revival path as concerns over the war have eased, prompting exporters to increase shipments. This was reflected in the 98 per cent sales percentage recorded in Sale 33 out of the offered quantity of 2,38,637 kg. The average price realization also increased by ₹4 per kg to ₹177, compared with ₹173 in the previous week.The auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis said medium whole leaf witnessed strong features with longer margins of ₹5 to ₹10 and sometimes more. Brokens were steady to firm while lesser ones were firm to dearer. Anil George Joseph, president of the Tea Trade Association of Cochin said continued participation by Middle East and CIS buyers provided positive support to the orthodox market, particularly for premium-quality teas. Larger whole-leaf grades gained ₹3–5 per kg, depending on quality, while primary brokens appreciated by more than ₹5 per kg.The immediate outlook remains positive for both CTC and orthodox teas, with the latter showing stronger upward momentum. Quality will remain the key differentiator, with good-liquoring CTC and premium orthodox teas likely to command firm to higher prices. However, increased availability of plain CTC could keep lower-quality teas under pressure, he said.The auctioneers said that CTC dust market was firm with good liquoring teas emerging dearer by ₹1 to₹2. The offered quantity was 7,11,269 kg and the average price realization was up by ₹2 at ₹155 compared to ₹153 in the previous week. All blenders together absorbed 68 per cent of the total CTC quantity sold. Published on August 14, 2026
