Tea sales average climbs in April as dollar returns stay under pressure

Sri Lanka’s national tea sale average rose in April from the previous month, supported by gains across all elevations in rupee terms, although the earnings in dollar terms continued to lag year-on-year (YoY) amid the currency movements and softer export value realisations.

The data released by the Sri Lanka Tea Board showed the national sale average for April 2026 increased to Rs.1,179.70 per kilogramme, from Rs.1,144.23 in March, marking a month-on-month gain of Rs.35.47. In dollar terms, the average rose marginally to US $ 3.69, from US $ 3.63.

Compared with April 2025, the national average was higher by Rs.12.95 in local currency terms but lower by US $ 0.20, highlighting continued pressure on export earnings despite the firmer rupee-denominated auction prices.

The latest figures indicate that while the auction prices have shown some resilience in local currency terms, the industry continues to face weaker dollar realisations, a trend closely watched by exporters amid global demand uncertainty and currency fluctuations.

The cumulative data for the first four months of 2026 showed the national tea sale average stood at Rs.1,158.33 per kilogramme, down Rs.17.77 from the corresponding period last year. In dollar terms, the cumulative average declined to US $ 3.70, from US $ 3.96, reflecting a sharper erosion of US $ 0.26 YoY.

Elevation-wise, the High Grown teas recorded the strongest annual improvement in rupee terms, with the April average rising Rs.60.73 YoY to Rs.1,161.94 per kilogramme. However, the dollar-denominated average slipped by US $ 0.04.

The Medium Grown teas posted a month-on-month increase of Rs.44.70 to Rs.1,031.79, although the category remained below last year’s levels by Rs.26.24 and US $ 0.30.

The Low Grown teas, which account for the bulk of Sri Lanka’s tea production and exports, rose Rs.48.47 from March to Rs.1,229.77 per kilogramme. On a YoY basis, the category was marginally higher by Rs.1.12, though down US $ 0.25 in dollar terms.