National tea sale average down in October as Low Grown prices weaken

The national tea sale average (NSA) for October 2025 eased to Rs.1,177.14 per kilo (US $ 3.87), reflecting a month-on-month decline of Rs.14.48 (US $ 0.07), from September’s Rs.1,191.62 (US $ 3.94), according to the data compiled by Forbes & Walker Research.

Despite the monthly dip, the figure marked a year-on-year gain of Rs.4.99, though in dollar terms the average was down US $ 0.12, from October 2024’s US $ 3.99, reflecting the currency movements and continued pressure on the global tea prices.

For the first 10 months of 2025, the cumulative NSA averaged Rs.1,161.99 (US$ 3.87), showing a notable decline of Rs.74.93 (US $ 0.21) compared with the corresponding period of 2024, when the average stood at Rs.1,236.92 (US $ 4.08).

Across the elevations, the Low Grown teas, Sri Lanka’s dominant category in export earnings, saw the sharpest monthly drop, slipping Rs.19.66 (US $ 0.09) from September and Rs.1.11 (US $ 0.15) year-on-year.

The High Grown teas declined Rs. 8.57 (US $ 0.05) month-on-month but remained Rs.19.48 higher in rupee terms compared to October 2024. The Medium Grown teas edged up Rs.3.43 month-on-month, though still posted a marginal US dollar decline.

For the January-October 2025 period, all elevations recorded negative variances in both rupee and dollar terms relative to the same period last year, underscoring the sector’s ongoing struggle with the volatile demand and weaker global auction prices.