Tea prices at Kochi auctions climbed as the Onam festival approaches, boosting demand for both CTC dust and orthodox leaf varieties. While blenders absorbed 71% of CTC supplies, prices for premium whole-leaf grades jumped by up to ₹10 per kg, reflecting a strong preference for high-quality produce.
Tea prices at the Kochi auctions have firmed up as the upcoming Onam festival creates a seasonal boost in demand. The holiday period, which traditionally increases the consumption of essential commodities in Kerala, has led to a rise in prices for specific tea varieties this week.
Good-liquoring CTC dust saw a price increase of ₹1 to ₹2 per kg. Blenders remained the primary buyers in this segment, picking up 71% of the total 7.35 lakh kg offered. This strong participation from blenders indicates consistent domestic demand for standard tea grades as companies prepare for the festival season.
Orthodox leaf varieties also experienced a price hike, with the average realization reaching ₹180 per kg, up from ₹177 in the previous week. The whole-leaf segment showed particular strength, with prices climbing by ₹5 to ₹10 per kg. Demand was supported by buyers from the CIS region and the Middle East, who have been actively procuring firm and well-made tea grades.
While the overall trend shows rising prices, the market remains highly selective and quality-driven. Not all tea varieties enjoyed this surge; lower-quality offerings faced price resistance and irregular realizations. This pattern highlights a market where buyers are willing to pay a premium for high-quality, well-made whole-leaf tea, while mid-to-lower range products continue to face competition.
Investors and stakeholders often watch the tea auction trends as an indicator of commodity pricing and consumption patterns. As the Onam season concludes, the key monitorable for the industry will be whether this demand trend continues or if the market cools once festival-related stocking is complete. The current price movement reinforces the reliance on premium quality to maintain margins in a selective buying environment.