Kochi orthodox tea prices fall ₹9/kg as West Asia crisis weakens export demand
At Kochi’s Sale 31 auction, orthodox tea’s average realisation dropped to ₹172 per kg as higher freight costs and softer West Asia demand weighed on buying. CTC dust remained firm, supported by domestic blenders.
Kochi orthodox tea auction prices fell ₹9 per kg to ₹172 as the West Asia crisis raised freight costs and weakened export demand. CTC prices stayed firm on domestic demand, while improved crop quality increased auction offerings.
Why this matters
The decline reverses the recent Kochi signal that tea auction prices were firm as blenders and exporters increased buying. It also raises stakes for the Cochin tea body’s push for a unified pan-India auction platform to improve price discovery.
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