Sri Lanka

Although the prices for low-grown tea slumped somewhat, prices for estate teas rose during Ocotber auctions in Colombo.

"Prices ruled firm to dearer particularly as the sale progressed," according to tea brokers Forbes & Walker quoted in Sri Lanka’s press, describing the recovery as "an encouraging feature" following a recent dip in prices and despite the weak market in Mombasa, Kenya, Sri Lankan tea’s principal rival.

Drought affecting tea cultivation in Sri Lanka, Kenya and India has helped to kep prices "buoyant" in Sri Lanka, according to analysts.