Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Wednesday, 8 April 2026 04:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka’s national tea sales average declined for a third consecutive month in March 2026, extending a steady slide from the peak recorded in December 2025, according to Forbes & Walker Research.
The national sales average fell to Rs. 1,144.23 ($ 3.63) in March, down Rs. 7.88 ($ 0.09) from Rs. 1,152.11 ($ 3.72) in February and Rs. 1,164.54 ($ 3.76) in January, marking a cumulative decline of Rs. 57.35 from Rs. 1,201.58 ($ 3.89) recorded in December.
On a year-on-year basis, the March 2026 average declined by Rs. 39.53 and $ 0.36 from Rs. 1,183.76 ($ 3.99) in March 2025.
Cumulatively, the national sales average for the first three months of 2026 stood at Rs. 1,153.25 ($ 3.70), down Rs. 26.07 ($ 0.28) from Rs. 1,179.32 ($ 3.98) in the corresponding period of 2025.
Elevation-wise, High Grown teas recorded a month-on-month decline of Rs. 8.31 ($ 0.10) to Rs. 1,150.71 ($ 3.65). Compared with March 2025, High Grown prices increased by Rs. 5.72, although dollar terms declined by $ 0.21. On a year-to-date basis, High Grown averages rose by Rs. 32.25 to Rs. 1,151.02.
Medium Grown teas recorded a month-on-month gain of Rs. 5.72 to Rs. 987.09, although dollar terms declined by $ 0.04 to $ 3.13. However, on a year-on-year basis, Medium Grown prices declined sharply by Rs. 69.21 and $ 0.43. Year-to-date, the category remained lower by Rs. 55.10 at Rs. 985.34.
Low Grown teas declined by Rs. 13.95 ($ 0.11) month-on-month to Rs. 1,181.30 ($ 3.75). Compared with March 2025, Low Grown prices fell by Rs. 55.02 and $ 0.42. On a cumulative basis, the category recorded a decline of Rs. 40.84 to Rs. 1,198.51.
